Ronnie was recovering from a serious health crisis that brought him close to death. The decision for life support was to continue, full speed ahead. Vel showed me a photo of Ronnie in the intensive care hospital bed. Now he was home, using a wheelchair and an alphabet board to express his needs. Their joy was contagious and their faith visible. I wanted to be a part of their life but this was a little out of my comfort zone.
Could we meet his needs? Could we communicate? Soon Cora, with her background in music therapy , was working with Ronnie to clarify his vocalizations. When Ronnie sang his requests, we understood him! One day he forgot his wheelchair and came in the door with his walker to a round of applause from his new friends. He never turned back. So often, in our work we are faced with a disease that brings a series of losses. As we grow closer to our members they have less and less capacity to interact.
Ronnie was different. He soon was fist bumping his friend who turned out to be his neighbor. He was an infusion of hope and faith just when we needed it. On Friday, September 21 they showed up with arms full of beautiful orange flowers and had a card for everyone on the staff. For National Adult Day Services Week, Vel had gone to local merchants and told the story of adult day services and what it meant to them.
These thoughtful gifts were so appreciated! However, the greater gift is sharing the Open Circle story with our community. Who knows what life might be touched by those words! Hope is contagious.
As the poet Emily Dickinson wrote:. We offer three convenient locations throughout the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area. Each of our locations offer programs, recreation, personal care, respite and social connections to individuals with memory loss or other emotional and physical needs. Contact one of our centers to learn more about how Augustana Care Open Circle can support care partners to find balance and meaning in a life touched by memory loss or other diagnosis.
