VON SERVICES HELP TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR A
COUPLE LIVING IN NORTH WELLINGTON
Mary and Ron’s Story
Ron has been diagnosed with multiple dementia. The disease has impacted his life in
many ways. He has memory loss which disrupts his daily life and causes him a great deal
of frustration. Ron often repeats the same questions and stories over and over again, is
unable to plan or problem solve, has difficulty with completing familiar tasks, has
confusion about time and places, misplaces things, has lost his ability to retrace steps and
has poor judgment which puts him at constant risk. Ron had withdrawn and was very sad
and depressed so his doctor put him on antidepressants.
The disease has not only affected him but also has had a huge impact on his spouse Mary.
She has now, when she should be enjoying retirement, life should be relaxed and
carefree, taken on the role of caregiver. Providing care has taken a tremendous toll on the
physical and emotional health of Mary as well. She has started to put her own needs
aside. She took care of Iain in hopes that if she concentrated on that, she wouldn't have to
think about the stress it was causing in her own life. Unfortunately caring for Iain 24
hours a day 7 days a week was becoming an overwhelming task for Mary and she started
to feel burnt out. Exhaustion took over, she was unable to concentrate, emotionally
sensitive, withdrawing socially and feeling anger and sadness. She knew she had to
confront the difficulty of her challenge or both their lives would suffer.
That's when Mary started attending the Alzheimer Society Support groups. It was there
that she was learned about the Seniors Day Out Program. At first she was reluctant to
send Ron, having felt she was being selfish, passing off her responsibilities to other
people. However with the encouragement from the Alzheimer Society Education
Coordinator, Mary decided to make arrangements with the Senior Day Coordinator to
have Ron assessed and admitted to the program.
Ron started out attending the program 1 day per week and at first Ethel did feel guilty for
leaving Ron at the centre as she was truly enjoying her break from caring for him and the
time for herself. However the regular relief rejuvenated her mind and body giving her
that much needed break which in turn made her caregiver role much easier. It was when
she was informed by the Seniors Day Out Program Coordinator that Iain was enjoying
the therapeutic recreational activities provided, he took part in all activities and socialized
with his peers, that they had noticed an increase in his self-confidence and comfort level
at the program and that they felt he would benefit from attending the program additional
days that she stopped feeling guilty. Mary finally realized that she was in fact being more
responsible as caregiver by taking this time not only for herself but for Ron as well.
When Mary learned about the new VON SMART Congregate Exercise Program (this
program modifies exercises to the abilities of the participants and serves a healthy meal
supplied by the VON Meals on Wheels after the program) in which both she and Ron
could both participate she decided to try that out too. Ron and Mary came out to the free
launch of the program and after the trial Mary was hooked. She now enjoys an outing
with her husband, receives the benefits of exercising and after the program can enjoy a
fantastic nutritious meal and intellectual conversations with other program participants.
Mary and Iain have been enjoying the VON services for 3 months now. Ron attends the
Seniors Day Out Program 3 times a week and both Ron and Mary attend the SMART
Congregate Exercise Program with a meal provided by Meals on Wheels once a week.
These programs have had a positive impact in both of their lives. Ron’s mood has
improved, there has been an increase in his dignity and self-esteem and an improvement
has been noted on his ability to perform daily activities. Mary feels she has more energy
and patience, and that she is taking better care of herself, giving her the ability not only to
be a much healthier happier person herself but a better caregiver as well.
The names above have been changed to protect the privacy of our clients