Supportive Care for Dementia Program
Family Testimonial
Mabel Sawyer gives her husband Bob eight hugs six times a day. It’s the best medicine a wife could offer—especially to a husband with Alzheimer’s disease. “Those hugs mean so much,” she says.
But who’s there to hug Mabel?
After enrolling in Hospice of the Valley’s Supportive Care for Dementia program, the Sawyers receive home visits from dementia educators, 24/7 phone access to a nurse and phone consults with a physician who specializes in dementia.
Plus, once a week, volunteer Roman Obrycki visits to give Mabel some time to herself. “Bob and I play mahjong together on the computer,” Obrycki said. “We look at family photo albums. We sort pens and pencils in his collection. We keep busy.”
Mabel appreciates having a sympathetic ear, even in the middle of the night. “Once I was so upset, and the nurse listened and got me calmed down,” Mabel Sawyer said. “I could talk without feeling embarrassed. I could cry and let it out.”
Dr. Gillian Hamilton, program director, helped with medication issues. Bob suffered from a sleep disturbance that also kept Mabel up most of the night. Now, he is sleeping much better, and so is Mabel.