Month: July 2009

“A tree planted by the river is evergreen . . .”  This Jeremiah verse 17:8 has been my mantra in providing dementia care.  As a healthcare worker I have seen how quickly an elder can die though still breathing, still receiving excellent medical and physical care.  The river that once flowed through their life, had moved as surely as a tree that was uprooted.  Transplanted to a sterile environment that lacks the unique characteristics that once made them thrive.  This environment has many caretakers that tend their physical needs but just a few whose role is to tend their spirit. …

Today was a final farewell to a beloved member of my eldercare community.  She came to us reluctantly from independent living with higher health needs then they could manage.  Happy hour was the daily norm for her.  Bud Light was her favorite.  But she adapted to Root Beer Float Socials and a personal happy hour .  Bingo was a second favorite, with a call of B11 resulting in her humorous exclamation of “Chicken Legs”.   These are the monikers that will come to mind for years to come for many of us. But what really will linger is her grace.  She…