 |
|
Joe and Helen celebrating with friends on their anniversary |
“My wife, Ilana, in late 2014 started to have memory issues. In 2015 she was diagnosed as being in the early stages of dementia. For almost a year she was able to continue her water aerobics and yoga classes as well as driving herself. Eventually these activities stopped and she became more dependent on me.
With our 4 daughters living two to four hours away it became obvious that I had become the sole caregiver for my wife. My children encouraged me to get help. With this in mind I explored outside daycare as well as in home programs. The best decision I made in early 2017 was to try the program and Friendship Circle. The staff is very professional and my wife eagerly goes 3 days a week and never seems ready to leave when I pick her up. This program has proven to be not only good for her but also good for me. I know that she is unlikely to get better but I am committed, after 59 years of marriage, to keep her home with me.”
Testimonial: Patty Roselli
“My Mom came to live with us seven-and-a-half years ago after my Dad had passed on. At the time, I was working outside the home and needed caregivers to stay with my Mom who presented with moderate dementia and required help with some daily tasks. Abruptly, the daytime caregiver resigned and it was necessary for me to find a replacement quickly. As an only child, I had no siblings to fill in while I searched for another caregiver. Friendship Circle was a gift from God! The director, Sally Southerland, was extremely accommodating and made the entry process occur seamlessly. The FC staff was compassionate, friendly and competent and it was evident that the emulated what Sally set as a model of how to treat our senior-most population.
My Mom turns 101 years old in a few days and I’m sure that her longevity was in great part to the engaging, supportive staff and atmosphere at Friendship Circle. Its personnel are by far the most patient, kind group of professionals I have ever met and they use their talents perfectly by serving the elders in our community. I bring my Mom to them and have great confidence that she is treated with the utmost respect by people I know she regards as “family”. Words are extremely inadequate to express my endless gratitude toward this institution and its caregivers for helping me tend to my Mom’s needs, as they had become more significant, and for giving me the sisters and brothers I never had.”
Testimonial: Brian A. Topolski
In many ways, our situation is unique. My wife, Jo and I are taking care of both my father and my mother in my home. Dad (Joe) is 90 and has dementia. Mom (Helen) is 92 and has Alzheimer’s disease. What are the odds? Ironically, both are mobile and in moderately good physical shape, considering their ages.
It has been an interesting and often challenging experience since they moved in with us four plus years ago. Being physically viable without the mental capacity for self care and self motivation, Joe and Helen posed a dilemma – how to keep them mentally and physically engaged in a safe and structured environment. At the same time we, the caregivers, needed some time to accomplish the household tasks without being on constant alert for problems or feeling the need to entertain them – very much like young children.
Through a wonderful local Alzheimer’s Support group, we were given the name of a place that was to have a life-altering effect on me, my wife Jo, and my parents. That place is called Friendship Adult Day Health Center. The Avon, CT venue is local for us, here in Burlington, and possesses all the elements we so acutely needed to provide us with peace of mind and strength of will to continue our journey with my parents.
Joe and Helen love the staff at Friendship Circle and the intimate and unintimidating atmosphere. Everyone is compassionate to the needs of folks with memory issues. They treat Dad and Mom with dignity and understanding. Activities are geared to stimulate and engage without frustrating. The atmosphere is designed to welcome, comfort and uplift and include periodic presentations by local musicians.
Daily lunches are hot, balanced and nutritious, based on individual dietary needs with gentle feeding help provided if necessary. In addition, once a month, everyone gets a weight and blood pressure check. Any health concerns are reported back to the family.
Words can hardly express our high level of esteem for and satisfaction with Friendship Circle and their staff – a superior adult day care facility.
