(Whitewater Unites Lives Submission) Pat Metz and Lyn Wolfe are WUL Hometown Heroes “For tirelessly dedicating themselves to Whitewater’s Dementia Friendly Community Initiative (DFCI) for the past 3 ½ years, for helping to set up and run the Rockin’ Respite site that was critical for caregivers, for helping to run the Memory Café at the Whitewater Public Library, and for tirelessly giving emotional and practical support to all the families involved.”

Two different groups nominated Pat and Lyn: the Whitewater Public Library and the Senior Center.

Lyn Wolfe said, “Dementia can be a very lonely journey for both the person with dementia and their care partner.  Educating the public through the Make Whitewater Dementia Friendly initiative, socializing through the Memory Café at the ILY Memorial Library, and providing caregiver ‘me time’ through Rockin’ Respite has given purpose and joy to my retirement years. Never underestimate the determination of two retired nurses to make a difference in this community!”

Pat Metz said, “Thank you for the nomination. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to fulfill my personal goal of starting a respite program in Whitewater through the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative. The Memory Café at the ILY Memorial Library, and the Rockin’ Respite, provided a vital service to our community, our caregivers and our guests. We formed a volunteer family of friends and support. We had great fun, it was never ‘work’.”

Suzanne Haselow, of the Irvin L. Young Library, said, “I would like to nominate two Whitewater women for the Hometown Hero award. These women have volunteered to help run the Memory Café, which until COVID, was held once a month at the Whitewater Public Library. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Memory Cafés, they are social events designed for people with dementia, and their care partners, to have fun together and forget about the diagnosis for a while, and share that with people who truly understand their unique challenges. Memory Cafés are considered crucial by dementia professionals to combat the incredible isolation that often happens to families dealing with dementia.

Lyn Wolfe and Pat Metz have been helping with the Café since it started over two and half years ago. Their enthusiasm, positive attitudes, and ability to see what or who needs help in each moment, and take care of it, have been invaluable to me. They both take it upon themselves to provide support to me, as the coordinator, and the families who attend. They have gotten to know all the attendees well through the Memory Café, and also as volunteers with the “Rockin’ Respite” program run through the Senior Center, tirelessly giving emotional and practical support to all the families involved.

The Memory Café would not be the success it is without them. The way they warmly and cheerfully greet each attendee by name sets the tone for every Café. They know that people with dementia respond more to emotional cues than verbal ones, and they are indefatigable in their smiles, positive comments, and absolute welcoming demeanor. In addition, they never fail to help with the more unpleasant tasks, such as stacking chairs or cleaning the tables following a meeting. At one Café, I was very suddenly unable to attend due to a medical condition, and they essentially took over and made it one of the most successful Cafés the library has held.  

I believe both these women are excellent ambassadors from Whitewater to all families dealing with dementia.  Their skills, knowledge, and dedication are exemplary. I am incredibly thankful for their assistance, and continually awed by their abilities. I think it would be wonderful for the people of Whitewater to know how amazing they are.”

Deb Weberpal, of the Senior Center added to the nomination:  “Unfortunately due to COVID, the Rockin’ Respite program is not currently meeting, but the respite site was critical for caregivers needing a break from the often 24/7 duties of caregiving a partner with dementia. The respite site would not have happened if it were not for the commitment of these two ladies. They investigated, found a replicable format, the site, promoted it, and enticed volunteers to participate.

Pat Metz was trained as a memory screener and has helped us offer free memory screens at the center. She is the site coordinator for the twice monthly Rockin’ Respite. She coordinates the volunteers, who match up one-on-one with a ‘guest’, for either a half or full day. She made sure all needed supplies were on hand, as well as, set up and clean-up of the program.  She currently helps by distributing information electronically to caregivers during this time of quarantine/physical distancing in an attempt to keep them informed and engaged.

Lyn has helped develop marketing tools and is the activity coordinator for the respite site. Her high energy and infectious smile are perfect for the job. She plans the day for everyone and has a list of what they do for the caregiver. She plans for conversations, quiet time activities, music, energetic games and exercise. She would often buy supplies for the site.

So much of what we have been able to accomplish with the DFCI and Rockin’ Respite has been due to the tireless efforts of these two ladies. They are my Hometown Heroes!”

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com