By Pam Hych
Guest Column
With a recent health scare for Bertha DeWalt, her grandchildren, Devin and Destinee Sample, wanted to have a big birthday celebration for her 88th birthday. In a room with family, friends, and lots of fun, this birthday will be memorable for everyone. Seeing Bertha celebrating her birthday today, Saturday, February 28, you would not believe that she was extremely sick just two months ago.
As a caregiver, I have been taking care of my mom for 10 years since her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. As a daughter, it has truly been a blessing, an honor and a privilege to be able to help my mom. Nevertheless, without my husband, Nolan Hych, my children and other family members helping, I would not have been able to care for my mom for these last ten years. I do realize that when caring for someone, everyone’s situation is different and you can only do what you can do.
When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I knew that I needed to make a decision. I made the decision to take care of my mom as best as I was able to and as long as I was able to. I became focused on “keeping mom happy at home. However, to do so I knew that I needed help. As I began my research, I realized that there are a plethora of local community resources. I was able to find two wonderful resources that have allowed me to continue to be my mom’s caregiver and work full-time.
Area Office on Aging, located at 2155 Arlington Avenue, and Memory Lane Care Facility, located at 500 North Reynolds Road, have been the biggest blessings for our family. The Caregiver Support Program at the Area Office on Aging has been a life saver, from providing resources, services, supplies, and RESPITE opportunities, I am incredibly grateful for their support.
Without Memory Lane Care Facility, I would not have been able to work full-time. The facility’s operation hours allow me to get my mom to the facility before I go to work and allows me to pick her up after I am off work. They provide meals, fun activities, and they have the best staff there. Without these resources and my family, I would not be able to “keep mom happy at home”. The purpose of this article is to help someone who may be in a similar situation and who is looking for help.
