When we moved to Whitewater in 1978, we easily found resources such as grocery stores, hardware stores, our church, and our doctors. In the last five years, I have had to find new resources to help Rich and to protect our assets.
In 2015, Rich and I met with our lawyer and set up a trust. In 2019, Rich was treated at Fort Memorial Hospital for a hernia. The nurse on call suggested that I get an incapacitation letter from his general practitioner. His doctor, who was familiar with his case, agreed to write it and have another doctor sign off. This letter was given to the lawyer and the trust was changed to my having control.
The staff at Rich’s memory care location are involved in the community and connected to the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) that exists in each Wisconsin county. I talked with them as well as the Veterans Administration of Walworth County since Rich is a Vietnam veteran. These agencies enable families to know what’s available to help them emotionally as well as financially.
Twice a month, a program called Rockin’ Respite occurs at the Living Word church in downtown Whitewater where caregivers can drop off their loved ones for activities and lunch. The activity is held two Tuesdays a month from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Masie can answer questions about respite care by emailing her at masieallie@yahoo.com. Also a Memory Cafe social hour takes place at Whitewater’s Library; it is rotated among several libraries (Whitewater, Jefferson, Palmyra, and Fort Atkinson). For more information, contact Suzanne at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library—(262) 473-0530. She also wanted me to share that with your library card, you can check out activity kits to keep your loved one occupied. Helpful presentations about dementia can be found online, on YouTube and sometimes in person. A nationally-known dementia trainer, popular and entertaining speaker Teepa Snow presented at Young Auditorium to an audience of about 400 in June.
Finally I cannot say enough good things about hospice. After being approved by a doctor, Rich now has a new bed, a Broda wheelchair, a Hoyer lift, and a shower chair. Each week a nurse visits him and emails me her report. Also, an aide gives him a shower twice a week. Medicare covers these expenses.
Thank you for letting me share how our idyllic retirement has been derailed by dementia. During this time, you find out who your true friends are and how wonderful a community can be! Please contact me at jamesm@uww.edu if you want to continue the conversation.
-Marcia James
This article is submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park.
https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/273/Seniors-In-the-Park
More resources for caregivers:
https://teepasnow.com/resources/pac-videos-about-dementia/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-forgetfulness-and-aging-whats-normal-and-whats-not
