FID ROTH'S STORY

Staying young has been a priority for my father for as long as I can remember. In his 60s, he decided that retirement just wasn’t for him after he noticed that many of his friends tended to pass away shortly after they gave up work. Aside from that, my mother refused to let him prowl around the house behind her. And so, at 87 years young, dad continues to work as an insurance agent, driving himself to work everyday. He helps out with B’nai B’rith and, as the youngest of six, he’s stayed healthy enough to take responsibility for his older brothers and his sister-in-law when they were ailing over the years. Life hasn’t always been so easy. Dad contracted tuberculosis during the war and was confined to a sanatorium in Weston. After recovering, he started selling war-bonds and then door to door insurance. He gradually built up clientele, some of whom he still has today. My father’s regimen for keeping young is simple: a little romance, a little magic, a little golf, exercise every morning, healthy food, a drink before dinner and a glass of wine with meals. In the winter he tries to walk in the hall every day. Much to mom’s horror, dad has discovered orthotics and now shows up everywhere wearing running shoes. It’s the mischievous twinkle in his eye that wins everyone’s heart as he still finds time to entertain kids with magic tricks and to stay in touch with life-long friends.

BOB'S STORY

Beth, my sister, and Ralph, my brother, share my conviction that the more we know about mom’s issues, the better we are able to cope. About a year ago, we had no choice but to move her from her retirement home to a nursing home. At the time there were lots of questions about the progression of her Alzheimer disease and her doctor suggested contacting the local Alzheimer Society. What a godsend—specific information on her condition was readily available at no charge. Knowing how to care for her properly and what might make her more comfortable makes us feel more useful and less guilty. Still, she has good days and bad days which we’re starting to understand and not take too personally. Thankfully, she still recognizes us most of the time and seems to enjoy a visit or an outing with one of her grandchildren more than anything else. We all have children still at home, so it’s not difficult to arrange to bring them with us when we visit. Some of the other residents seem to enjoy the youngsters as well.

IRENE'S STORY

Have you visited the Alzheimer ward of a nursing home lately? If so, you’ll know that it can be a sad place. But did you know that you can do something about it? That as a volunteer, you can bring some joy, not only to your loved one but to many others? An impromptu sing-along A few months ago, during my regular visit to spend time with my husband who has Alzheimer disease, I took him to his room to touch up his shave. I invited John, another male patient, to join us, as he appeared to enjoy our company. While shaving my husband, I asked John if he would like to sing. Then I started singing “Down by the Old Mill Stream.” He joined in; we sang together and, to my utter surprise, my husband was mouthing the lyrics, despite the fact he was totally unable to speak a sentence. A community affair No sound was forthcoming, but this didn’t matter. This is what triggered my idea of doing a sing-along with all of the ward residents who showed an interest. To start off our sing-along, I taped 90 minutes of “Sing Along with Mitch.” A friend provided me with three cassettes. Through another friend, I was able to tape 90 minutes of another show for variety. A weekly commitment I enjoyed doing this activity twice a week until my husband passed away. Now, six weeks later, I am committed as a volunteer to providing a weekly sing-along. I feel a real kinship with these beautiful people and find this to be a source of my own healing and a loving tribute to my husband. Every week we have at least 12 friends join us, some in wheelchairs, some mobile. Music is “food for the soul.” So join me by volunteering in a home near you and help put a smile on the faces of those who live with Alzheimer disease.

DAD BRYANT'S STORY

Our parents on both sides require homemaking support on a part-time basis. Until now, this was supplied by the local home care agency. As their needs increased, however, we became increasingly concerned about the turnover of personnel. One week there were three different caregivers sent in to look after dad Byrant and no one knew his personal care routine well enough to make him feel comfortable. Obviously that week didn’t go well, so we put our heads together and decided to hire our own caregiver to share between both families. After running an ad in the local newspaper we found Jane, a lovely lady. An experienced personal support worker with proper qualifications, Jane now works for us and stays in touch on a regular basis to let us know what is needed. She spends the mornings at the Byrant’s (Joyce’s parents) and the afternoons at the Rainier’s. We’re lucky they live close by to each other and to us. Jane’s help relieves stress for us because everyone is well taken care of and we know for sure who is coming in the door each day.