Warren and Irene had been married for many years when, in their 80’s, they came to a time when staying at home would not be an option. Their health was taking a downturn and Warren ended up in the hospital.

I met Warren after receiving a call from his legal guardian, needing to find someone to check in on him, do some shopping for him, and just be a listening ear. Our first introduction was just after he moved into an assisted living care center. The first time I met him, he was friendly and had a smiling face from ear to ear. Warren and I spent every Wednesday afternoon together. The smiling face and laughter were always there, but underneath it were loneliness, confusion, and frustration. His wife was in an adult family home. They had no children.

The new place was strange. He had lived in his own home for many years. He and Irene never expected all of these sudden changes. Over the next year and half, we spent many Wednesdays sharing stories, experiences, memories, family history and fun outings. One of our favorites was heading to the ice cream shop. He always got a double dip, waffle cone, with 2 different flavors. I am the plain cone - one dip person. We had lunch…ate tacos…pie and coffee….we took pictures all over town…once we even had a picnic in the car after ending a doctor’s appointment.

Warren has seen several moves since I first met him, and our Wednesdays have changed a bit. I was with him as he moved from the assisted living place to an adult family home, to another stay in the hospital after a fall, to the rehab/long term care center. His wife has moved a couple of times too, and is in a second adult family home that she likes very much. Irene and Warren spend Wednesday’s together now….we get them together for lunch every Wednesday. However, we always reserve the first Wednesday of each month for our double decker (waffle) ice cream cone, outing.

What started out as a new client/companion caregiver introduction has turned into a warm wonderful friendship for all three of us!

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Mitch and Doris' Connection...

Beth, Mitch, and Doris…

Doris is 96. Mitch is in his mid 80’s. They have a very caring, loving family, and they all live in the same town. Like a lot of families today, being involved with children, work, church, friends, and loving grandparents means burning the candle at both ends.

To meet the needs of Doris and Mitch, Beth of Life Care Connections, was introduced to them. She did for them what their children would have done, if they could. Housework they couldn’t do anymore, making lunch for them and...

Every week meant shopping at their favorite grocery stores and drug stores. Sometimes there were trips to Tops, Safeway, Walgreens, Lowes, and anyplace else they needed to go, all in one outing. Doris always has her coupons ready, and out the door she comes when Beth drives up.

The duo have recently moved to a new - closer apartment. They no longer need Beth as a companion. However, Beth and Mitch, and Doris have a special new connection…..they are good friends.

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Ester’s 100th Birthday Celebration

Linda- I cannot imagine what mom’s life would be like without you and your angels. Thank you so very much for providing the companionship that I can’t.

Love, Val

The above note is from Ester’s daughter who lives in a neighboring state. Ester resides in a long-term care community.

Our team have been seeing Ester for 2 ½ years, and have had the good fortune to celebrate not only her 100th Birthday, but also her 101st.

We see her 5 days a week for a companionship visit. She loves having coffee, eating chocolate, sharing stories from days gone by, and even singing to us. She sang with the Rhythm Girls with the Paul Whitman band in the Big Band era. And loves to talk about her life. Even though Ester is in a nursing home, we bring life enrichment to her. We are all blessed by the experience.

One of the days each week we have a picnic with Ester. We aren’t able to take her to the park, so we bring the picnic to her…….and we always include her favorite milk-shake!

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