Sacred Heart Home
When the new brick hospital was opened in 1925 the old wooden one was converted into a residence for the elderly named “Sacred Heart Home” and staffed by the Sisters of Saint Martha. Within a short time a hundred elderly people were living there.
By the late 19505 the Fire Department ordered the closing ofthe third or top floor. Gradually it became evident that a new building was needed.
In 1962, because ofa successful diocesan financial campaign, a new four- storey brick structure was erected across the street, next door to the Charlottetown Hospital from which it got its heat and hot water. The new home had space for some 130 residents and its occupancy was almost always a hundred percent.
From 1962 the financial operation of the Home was greatly supported by government assistance given to individual residents. Five years later the Sacred Heart Home was incorporated as a non-profit organization and came under the management ofa Board of Governors.
In February, 1995 the Board of Governors announced that the Sacred Heart Home was closing its doors injune of that year. A number of factors led to the Board’s decision, the main one being financial due to extensive
Sacred Heart Home.
and very costly renovations required for the building. In addition there was a substantial reduction in government fiJnding. About a hundred residents had to be relocated by the closure and this was done with a minimum ofhardship although sadness was felt by many at the shutting down ofthis fine institution.
The Sisters ofSaint Martha deserve enormous credit for their 70 years of devoted service at the Sacred Heart Home. Much volunteer service was provided as well by the lay staffand by many others in providing a final home for large numbers of elderly people from across the Island.
The Bureau
In 1931 the Sisters ofSaint Martha opened a Social Services Department at the Charlottetown Hospital to address the needs of the poor. One ofthe Department’s first rate services was home care nursing, especially for mothers and infants, but also for the elderly.
The Social Services Department moved to larger quarters on Pownal Street in 1943. Five years later it became known officially as the Catholic Social Welfare Bureau with a constitution and Board of Directors.
Professional
HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS o 23