Finding a place for mom or dad is stressful. Honestly, it’s one of those life milestones nobody prepares you for until you’re suddenly googling "nursing homes near me" at 2 AM. In South St. Louis County, one name that pops up constantly is Ascension Living Sherbrooke Village.
It’s tucked away on Tesson Ferry Road. If you’ve driven past it, you might just see another brick building. But for the families who have moved their loved ones in, it’s a whole ecosystem of care that ranges from "I just need a little help with my meds" to "I need 24/7 medical supervision."
Most people get overwhelmed by the terminology. Is it assisted living? Is it a nursing home? Is it rehab? Basically, Sherbrooke Village is all of the above. It’s a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). That’s just a fancy industry term meaning they have different levels of care on one campus. You move in when you’re still pretty independent, and if things change, you don't have to pack up and move to a different zip code. You just move down the hall.
The Reality of Living at Ascension Living Sherbrooke Village
Let's talk about the vibe. It isn't a sterile hospital environment. When you walk into the skilled nursing or assisted living areas, there’s a distinct effort to make it feel like a neighborhood.
The floor plans aren't massive, but they’re functional. You’ve got studio options and one-bedroom setups. For many seniors, downsizing is actually a relief. No more mowing the lawn or worrying about a leaky roof in a 50-year-old South County bungalow. Here, the maintenance is someone else's problem.
One thing that sets this place apart is the faith-based backbone. Being part of Ascension, which is one of the largest non-profit Catholic health systems in the country, means there is a specific focus on "person-centered care." It’s not just about checking vitals. They actually have a chapel on-site. For a lot of the residents who grew up in the local St. Louis parishes, having access to Mass or spiritual services without leaving the building is a huge deal. It’s part of their identity.
What about the food?
Everyone asks about the food. It’s the number one complaint in almost every senior living facility in America. At Sherbrooke, they try to keep it diverse. You aren't getting Michelin-star dining, but it’s consistent. They have a dining room where social interaction is encouraged. That’s actually a stealthy way of monitoring health—if a resident who usually talks everyone's ear off suddenly stops showing up for lunch, the staff notices immediately.
👉 See also: Finding the University of Arizona Address: It Is Not as Simple as You Think
Different Levels of Care: Breaking It Down
Not everyone needs the same thing. This is where people get confused.
Assisted Living at Sherbrooke is for the folks who are mostly okay but maybe get a bit wobbly on their feet. Or maybe they keep forgetting to take their blood pressure pills. You get your own apartment, but there’s a safety net. Staff is there 24/7. They help with "Activities of Daily Living" (ADLs)—stuff like showering, dressing, or getting to the dining room.
Skilled Nursing is the higher tier. This is for people with complex medical needs. If someone is recovering from a stroke or has a chronic condition that requires constant monitoring, this is where they stay. It’s more clinical, yes, but the goal is still quality of life.
Rehabilitation is the short-term play. If you have a hip replacement at Mercy or Missouri Baptist, you might come to Ascension Living Sherbrooke Village for a few weeks of physical therapy before going home. They have a gym on-site and therapists who specialize in getting seniors back on their feet.
The Memory Care Factor
Alzheimer's and dementia are the "elephants in the room" for many families. Sherbrooke has a dedicated memory care section.
It’s secure. It has to be. But "secure" shouldn't mean "prison." They use specific layouts to reduce confusion. They focus on "reminiscence therapy." This basically means talking about the past to anchor the resident in the present. They use familiar music, old photos, and structured routines to keep the anxiety levels down.
✨ Don't miss: The Recipe With Boiled Eggs That Actually Makes Breakfast Interesting Again
Staffing in memory care is a different beast entirely. It takes a lot of patience. One thing you'll notice if you visit is the "Life Enrichment" programs. They aren't just playing bingo all day. They do things like sensory activities and small-group outings. It keeps the brain engaged.
Comparing Sherbrooke to Other St. Louis Facilities
St. Louis has a lot of options. You’ve got the high-end, "resort-style" places out in West County that cost a fortune. Then you’ve got the older, more "institutional" spots.
Ascension Living Sherbrooke Village sits somewhere in the middle. It’s accessible. Because it's a non-profit, the mission feels a bit different than the corporate-owned chains. They accept Medicare and Medicaid for certain services, which is a massive factor for families who aren't sitting on a multi-million dollar inheritance.
One thing to keep in mind: like every healthcare facility in the post-2020 world, staffing can be a challenge. It’s the industry's biggest hurdle. When you’re touring, don't just look at the carpet or the wallpaper. Look at the faces of the nurses and aides. Are they smiling? Do they know the residents' names? At Sherbrooke, you tend to see a lot of long-term staff, which is a good sign of a stable culture.
The Location Perks
Located right off I-270 and Tesson Ferry, it’s incredibly easy to get to. If you live in Mehlville, Concord, or Sappington, you’re basically five minutes away. There’s a Target nearby, plenty of restaurants, and St. Anthony’s (Mercy South) is literally just down the road. For families, this convenience means more frequent visits. Short, frequent visits are often better for a senior's mental health than one long, exhausting visit once a month.
Financial Realities: What Does It Cost?
Transparency is rare in this industry. Costs vary wildly based on the level of care.
🔗 Read more: Finding the Right Words: Quotes About Sons That Actually Mean Something
- Independent/Assisted Living: Usually a monthly rent plus a service fee.
- Skilled Nursing: Often a daily rate.
- Insurance: Medicare typically covers short-term rehab but not long-term "custodial" care (the day-to-day living stuff).
You have to talk to their admissions coordinator. They’re usually pretty good at helping you navigate the maze of Long-Term Care Insurance and Veterans benefits. If your loved one is a veteran or the spouse of one, there might be "Aid and Attendance" benefits that can significantly offset the cost.
Dealing with the Transition
Moving is traumatic for seniors. It represents a loss of independence. Sherbrooke staff knows this. They usually suggest a "slow roll" approach if possible.
Start with a tour. Have a meal there. Don't make it a surprise move-in day. The more agency the senior feels they have in the decision, the better the outcome.
The community at Ascension Living Sherbrooke Village is pretty tight-knit. There are residents who have lived there for a decade. They become the "welcoming committee." That peer-to-peer connection does more for a new resident's transition than any brochure ever could.
Actionable Steps for Families
If you’re seriously considering this for a family member, don't just take a virtual tour. You need to show up in person.
- Visit at an "off" time. Don't just go during the scheduled Tuesday 10 AM tour. Show up on a Saturday afternoon or a weekday evening. This is when you see what the "real" staffing levels look like.
- Check the CMS Star Ratings. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rates nursing homes. Look up Sherbrooke. Look at their health inspections and staffing ratios. These are public records.
- Ask about the specific care plan. If your dad has a specific condition like Parkinson's or diabetes, ask exactly how they manage it. Don't accept "we handle everything." Ask for the process.
- Talk to other families. When you're walking through the halls, if you see someone visiting their mom, politely ask them how their experience has been. Most people are happy to share the truth—the good and the bad.
- Review the contract with a lawyer. Before signing anything, especially for long-term skilled nursing, have an elder law attorney look at the fine print. You want to understand the refund policies and what happens if the money runs out.
Making the call to move someone into Ascension Living Sherbrooke Village is a heavy decision. It’s about balancing safety with dignity. In the South County landscape, it remains a solid, faith-based option that prioritizes the person over the paperwork.
Next Steps for Your Search
- Schedule a "Meal Visit": Contact the admissions director and ask to have lunch in the dining room with your loved one. This gives you a taste of the food and the social atmosphere.
- Request a Staffing Disclosure: Ask for their current nurse-to-resident ratios for the specific floor your family member would be living on.
- Verify Insurance Compatibility: Gather all insurance cards and recent medical evaluations to have the Sherbrooke billing office run a preliminary "coverage check" to avoid surprise bills later.