Bristol Manor marks 20th year

TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Linda Austin, administrator of the Bristol Manor residential care facility in Maryville, stands in the home’s common room during a Thursday morning coffee held to recognize physicians and social workers who help care for the center’s residents. The Maryville Bristol Manor, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month, is one of a group of 64 similar facilities owned by Sedalia-based Bristol Care Inc.

The Bristol Manor residential care facility at 323 E. Summit Drive is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month, and residents, staff and guests gathered Thursday for a morning coffee at the facility held in recognition of physicians and social workers who serve the seniors living there.

A second anniversary event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18, when the home will host a “parking lot party” for residents, families, guests and the general public.

Maryville’s Bristol Manor is one of 50 such facilities serving the elderly statewide owned by Sedalia-based Bristol Care Inc. The chain was founded 25 years ago by the late Doyle Furnell, who had a vision for individualized senior care carried out in a homelike setting.

Altogether, the corporation, now headed by Furnell’s son David, operates 64 senior living facilities in Missouri, including homes under the banner of Ashbury Heights and The Essex. The company also owns Landmark Terrace, an “elegant senior adult living” center in Sedalia.

Bristol Care facilities currently provide state-approved residential care housing to more than 600 seniors across Missouri.

Each Bristol Manor can house up to 12 residents, each of whom has his or her private room and bath. Couples share two rooms and, if they desire, can use one for a living room and one for a bedroom.

All rooms are equipped with individual climate controls, and residents are allowed to furnish their space with their own furniture and decorative items.

“Our residents come here and make this their home,” said Linda Austin, who has served as administrator of the Maryville Bristol Manor for the past nine years.

Including Austin, who lives on site, the Maryville Bristol Manor has a five-member staff. Amenities include 24-hour staffing, meals and snacks, professional medication supervision, security and emergency call systems, and personal care assistance.