WARWICK, NY (October 27) – When Valentine Laurent was born in Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts) in the French West Indies, what is now a picturesque island known for its white-sand beaches, chic hotels and designer shops, had yet to enjoy the luxury of electricity or running water. And most people traveled on foot.
Laurent, a resident of Warwick's Mount Alverno Center Adult Home and Assisted Living Program, was born on October 27, 1915. And on Tuesday, October 27 of this year, she celebrated her 100th birthday with ice cream cakes delivered for all the residents and staff by her niece.
Laurent was born into a large family but she and her husband, Justin, since deceased, did not have children. Her niece Yolanda Frost is her closest relative.
Frost reported that Laurent actually worked as a maid and housekeeper for well to do families until she was 90 years old. After coming to the United States, she lived in Norwood, New Jersey for about 25 years, moved back to St. Barts for about five years and then returned to New York.
Although celebrating one's 100th birthday is no small achievement for anyone, Laurent has also managed to remain physically active at the Mt. Alverno Center, which has been her home for the past eight years.
"She comes to the activities room every day and participates in all the games. And she especially enjoys our licensed pet therapy program," said Bill McGinty, an activities aide. "She has a wonderful attitude."
When asked to what factors did she attribute her longevity, Laurent said, "God wanted me to live long." She also added that she didn't drink alcohol or smoke but her niece laughed at that and remarked, "Just say she never smoked."
Although it may still seem rare, the fastest growing segment of the population is actually people who have reached the age of 100 and beyond. Providing long term health care is one of the most important services offered by members of the Bon Secours Health System.
About Bon Secours Charity Health System
Every year, nearly one million people in the lower Hudson Valley, New Jersey and Pennsylvania turn to Bon Secours Charity Health System (BSCHS) for innovative healthcare delivered with compassion. BSCHS has received national recognition, rankings and numerous awards for the level of care it provides.
BSCHS is comprised of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Suffern, NY; Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY; St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY; a certified home health agency; two long-term care facilities; an assisted living/adult home facility and several other medical programs located throughout the region. The system employs more than 3,400, making it one of the region's largest employers
Bon Secours Medical Group is BSCHS's regional network of nearly 80 primary care physicians and specialists from a broad array of medical disciplines. These skilled clinicians play a central role in bringing personalized, preventive and expert care to people from every stage of life.
BSCHS is a member of the Bon Secours Health System—a national Catholic healthcare system with a strong reputation and robust commitment to bringing compassionate healthcare to those in need. For more information, visit
www.BSCHS.BonSecours.com. For a complete list of practitioners, visit
http://bschs.org/find-a-physician-bon-secours-medical-group.html
Photos:
Valentine Laurent celebrating her 100th birthday at Mount Alverno Center.