Bill & Mary's Story

Save to Favorites

Bill & Mary met when they were in High School and fell in love. They were married at the age of 19 and started their life together. They found their first small home and a short time later brought their first child home. Bailey was a wonderful dog that filled their home with love and fun. At dinner one evening Mary said "Bill how do you think Bailey and the new baby will get along" Bill dropped his fork and said, "we're having a baby!" Nine months later John was born and once again their home filled with laughter and love. It wasn't that long before Jenny was born and they had everything they had hoped for. As the kids entered High School Bailey was aging and it was time for Bill and Mary to help him by letting go and laying him to rest. It was hard for the entire family and they thought things can't get worse than this. Then happy times came again and each child had finished High School. Jenny went off to college and John took a job about two hours away, so he moved. Now it was Bill and Mary home alone again. Bill started to notice that Mary had trouble remembering family member's names and he found his wallet in the freezer one day. He convinced Mary to see their family doctor and Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Mary had always been an outstanding homemaker and took very good care of Bill and the kids. As the days passed Mary was having much more difficulty. Bill was trying his best to do things in the home that he had never done before, cooking, cleaning the laundry, and taking care of the love of his life. Bill started having some chest pains and went to the doctor where he was told it's stress Bill you have to get a break and you need to take care of yourself. It was hard for Bill to ask for help as he felt I should be able to do this for my wife. He was getting so tired that sometimes he was short with Mary and then he would feel so bad. On a holiday visit home, the children saw the change in both their parents and were worried that they might lose them both. They did some research on caregiving support and found FamilyMeans Caregiving and Aging Services. They set an appointment to speak with a social worker and Bill, Jenny and John started their caregiving plan together. Bill needed a regular break, not just the times the kids could come home for a day or two to help. The search was on for YOU a person who knows what it's like to either care for a loved one or be overwhelmed. YOU had read the ad and contacted the FamilyMeans Volunteer Coordinator to find out how YOU could help. It was then YOU learned that if YOU could share 2 hours a week or 8 hours a month, YOU had a gift YOU could give. YOU had your choice of visiting during the day, evening, or weekend and could even pair with another volunteer, family member, or friend. YOU were worried because YOU thought I don't know how to do this, and I'm not sure I want to take care of someone else. That's when the volunteer coordinator explained our volunteers do not provide medical care, daily living cares or personal care. The volunteers are there to give a caregiver a break by providing companionship and supervision for the care receiver because it is no longer safe to leave them home alone.
There was a match meeting with YOU, the family, and the social worker so YOU could see if it would be the right spot for YOU. The first respite date was set, and when YOU arrived, John went to his room and took a much-needed nap while YOU and Mary got to know each other. Once John was no longer worried about leaving Mary with a stranger he started going on his walks again that he missed so much. When he would come back, he would have the biggest smile on his face and would bend over and say, "there's my bride and give Mary a big kiss". YOU could see what the gift of your time did for both of them, and at the same time, YOU felt pretty good about giving that gift. I'm here if you have that gift to give. Let's talk.
We are looking for volunteers of all genders as well as pairs, couples and families.