Some of the most senior residents of Providence Rest Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, an ArchCare facility, participated in an annual celebration for Bronx residents who have reached or are approaching their 100th birthday, organized by Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

The event, held on Thursday, May 16 at Villa Barone Manor in the Throgs Neck area of the Bronx, welcomed Providence Rest residents Maria Confreda, 99; Alejandra Benedito, 104; Doris Novrotsky, 103; and Helen Ericson, 104.

Providence Rest has attended in years past, but this year was the first participation by its residence since Covid.

What’s the secret to long and happy life? “Go to church every Sunday – confession to the Lord,” Confreda told ArchCare representatives. “My father was very much an enthusiast on exercise, and my mother was also pretty active. So, I was active from a young age, dancing and exercising,” Ericson said.

“This event is an opportunity to celebrate our centenarians, but also the caregivers, home health aides, home health assistants, that do this work that care for our older adults every day,” Bronx Borough President Gibson told ArchCare representatives. “I want to celebrate them as well and bring them together during this time to say thank you, to love on them, and to show our appreciation, our gratitude,” she added.

ArchCare is the Continuing Care Community of the Archdiocese of New York, and one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic Catholic healthcare systems. ArchCare provides quality care to thousands of people of all faiths through its home and community-based and residential care programs, including their Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) nursing home alternative, adult day care, long-term skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, home care, assisted living, hospice, an acute care specialty hospital and services for people with Huntington’s disease, HIV/AIDS, developmental disabilities, and other specialized care needs.