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Testimonials |
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Helena’s Long
Journey
From her husband Don Smith, San Marcos
This is how I remember the progression of
the Alzheimer’s disease that took over the
life of my wife, Helena. It began to be
noticeable to me during 2001 that things
were not as they should be. Previously,
Helena’s mother and two brothers had
suffered the same disease so I had a “heads
up.” Helena was 72 in July 2001.
more...
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This is the story by Nancy Nunley, a family
member of an AlzCare resident in Victoria as
told to John Lenihan. |
I had put my
father in another facility and wasn’t happy.
I couldn’t stand visiting. I would find him
sitting in a wheelchair in his room with his
head down. The only time he got a visit from
the staff was when he received his
medications or if they had something to do.
He was so weak that he needed assistance.
The CNA’s were busy and they often got to
him too late. He was going deeper into
himself and no one was trying to pull him
out. It would have been nice to go back to
his home, but he needed 24-hour care.
more...
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Ellie Barker: My Mother, My Best Girlfriend |
It’s hard to tell just when Mom’s dementia
started. We didn’t notice until she was
living with us---but she knew!
My father died
in 1976 and at that time my husband and I
became the caregivers for my mother. She
was very independent and lived by herself
until 1996. She did have boyfriends but
never remarried. At the time she moved in
with us she seemed to be healthy.
more...
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Audrey’s story as told by daughter Mary
Degroat |
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I wanted to let Alzcare know
how happy I am with them and all that they
do for my mother, Audrey.
I am amazed
every time I visit how the employees treat
the residents so well and spend time with
them and treat each resident as part of the
family! The employees seem to actually like
their jobs!
more...
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Louise Miller's story as told by daughter
Anita Williams |
We first noticed Mom repeating herself seven
years ago, but my father took good care of
her and "covered" for her forgetfulness. But
when he had his first stroke two years ago,
her dementia became more obvious. After his
third stroke, Dad was in a rehab hospital
for six weeks and we became painfully aware
that Mom was not safe at home.
more...
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Lyn Litchke, CTRS, HTM, Med Senior Lecturer
in Recreational Therapy, Texas State
University |
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Dear Alzcare family,
I just wanted
to take this opportunity to share with you
how blessed I feel with the collaboration
that we have established between our
students and your company. The students in
the Recreation Therapy program have
demonstrated exceptional growth and
development in the area of providing
recreation to your residents with
Alzheimer's Disease. The students have also
given me such positive feedback on their
experiences with your program as fieldwork
students.
I think that
what impresses me most is not only the
homelike, caring environment that you
provide your residents, but also the staff
that work with them. What you have been able
to do for my students is change the
stereotypes and fear that has been
associated with caring for those with
dementia, and shed a new light on validation
of individuals needs.
I know that
some of my students have even gone on to
gain paid employment with your company. I
want to thank you for providing such an
outstanding mentorship program for my
students to learn how to become amazing
therapists in the field of recreation.
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"Knitting With Mother"
by loving daughter, Jane |
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Mother and I had a wonderful time knitting
together on Saturday. I came just after
lunch and Mother was still at the table. I
had cast on 45” of light blue yarn for my
new grandson’s baby blanket. Mother had
talked about knitting one for him, but we
just couldn’t get it started. So I came on
Saturday with tools in hand ready to go.
Mother taught me to knit years ago, so I
asked her to show me how to knit faster like
she does. She took the needles from me and
knitted for a long time- beautifully. Ida,
one of the residents came by to see what we
were doing and sat with us at the table for
a long time. We all had the happiest time
talking and knitting. When Mother and I
went back to her room about 2 hours later,
Ida and Evelyn came in to visit. While they
were still there, Mother said, "Moving here
was a good decision. This is a wonderful
place."
I am so glad that Mother is at AlzCare in
your conscientious and loving care. |
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