Cleveland-based Sisters of Charity Health System assumed full ownership of the Bedford, Ohio-based Light of Hearts Villa on Dec. 31. The 90-apartment Light of Hearts offers independent living, assisted living, short-term respite care and memory care.
The Vincentian Sisters of Charity of Bedford renovated a closed girls' Catholic high school to create the Light of Hearts Villa, which opened to senior adults in 1989. At the time, according to Light of Hearts' website, it was rare to offer independent and assisted living residences, not connected to a nursing home.
The Sisters of Charity Health System became an equal cosponsor of Light of Hearts with the Vincentian Sisters of Charity in 2001 and has managed the facility since 2009. No money changed hands when the Sisters of Charity Health System became sole sponsor last month.
With the change, Light of Hearts becomes fully a part of the Sisters of Charity Health System's continuum of care — that system has five hospitals, three grant-making foundations, six community outreach organizations and two eldercare providers (including Light of Hearts) in Ohio and South Carolina.
The Vincentian Sisters of Charity merged with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati of Delhi Township, Ohio, in 2003 — the Vincentian Sisters of Charity dissolved their congregation in 2004 and took vows as Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.