I would like all your help. Please read

[rtspring]

As some of you know I am a Maint Director for a Alzheimers and Dementia care facility that includes many residents. Directly about 60 that I have  become real close to in the last year of having this job. It is the most sickening, sad, heartbreaking disease I have ever seen. These people are still humans! Even though they may not know what you said to them 5 minutes ago. It truly does grab me by the heart and give me chills to even write this. I have seen many come and go to heaven since I have worked there. I have tried everyday to make a difference in their lives each and every day. No matter how small it may be. Each morning I have a cup of coffee with some of the sweetest ladies you have ever met. Let's not forget these are someone"s mom. 

Some of these people are just left to die by family and friends! I refuse to ever let any human be treated in such a manner where just because they are sick, people refuse to acknowledge they are still humans. I cannot mention names, or Company names due to Medical laws.

But I can tell you that there are four houses that have around 15 residents in each house. They do activities each day, puzzles, drawing, arts and crafts, building military care packages, and BBQS each week when the weather is nice. None of this is paid for by the residents. Some by the company I work for but mostly out of the employee's pocket. The big pocket being mine. I don't care about how much I give them but I could use some help, and I am the last person to ever look or ask for help. Well I am asking. (I hope this is ok with Dale and the MODS?)   

Some of these residents can"t even afford to pay for a new pair of shoes that they have needed for well over a year. Tragically many family members of residents get a power of attorney and then leave their loved ones to die without any kind of funding for the rest of their days on this earth. This drives me wild!!!! I refuse to sit back and let these people not enjoy what little life they have left without doing everything I can do put a smile on their face somehow someway.  Heck even a bottle of flavored coffee creamer makes them light up..

I cannot post pics of them  but I can post up pics of things "WE" get for them... from steaks, to pizza to new shoes,DVD"S etc etc.


You will probably never meet or get to know any of them other than what I tell you If I can make this happen. But I promise you, everything you can give will put a huge smile on their faces and on mine.

My idea is to generate a fund account for them so that ANYTHING they need I can get it for them. Of course within reason..  The mens house wants strippers!! ha ha  its illegal or bet your butt I would get them one,.


If you wish to donate a small amount please let me know, I can post up and address if I can get enough support.   

Thanks so much for reading, I sure hope this works.......

RTSPRING......

[Whitpirate]

I got 100.00 for the Sunshine Fund pal let me know where.

[Bean Counter]

Rt,

I would suggest posting up a list of nice-haves and where members could drop them off. 

[deerhunter_98520]

I'll donate too...this is a great idea....my grandpa had Alzheimer's and I had to watch a 6'3" 270 lb police lieutenant slowly lose the battle...it was hard....so if I can put a smile on one persons face I'm in....let me know where to send the donation

[rtspring]

Rt,

I would suggest posting up a list of nice-haves and where members could drop them off. 

Great idea!!!

[rtspring]

Looking to see if I can legally put my work address on here..  If not I will use one of mine..

Thanks everyone! Just spoke to management about making a list of things we can have sent to residents! 

[Thehowler]

I have a step dad that is a 83 year old Korean war veteran. He lives in Phoenix Arizona and has no other family alive. He has what you are describing, the wife thinks dementia. He will not admit anything, but seems he is very well known at the local VA.
The wife and I went down for a week in oct, because the IRS is sending threatening letters for unpaid taxes. He owns a duplex apartment, and a single family house, with a detached garage converted into a studio apartment.
He had not filed a tax return or paid any property taxes in five years.
My step dad, wife and I ran around for 2 days collecting all documents possible, to meet with the tax professional.
During this fax finding mission we discovered he had 6500.00 coming in and 7500.00 going out.
Many withdrawals from the local Bank.
I sat down with him at breakfast and pointed out all these withdrawals, and he clamed they were  not his and he was being ripped of.
Took him to his bank,  and the banker pointed out that  he has been seen withdrawing money with other individuals out of his account.
Also found out, the studio apartment is being occupied by a so called buddy and his girlfriend free of rent. Just gave so called buddy 1800.00 to buy a car. No pay back and no work to pay back any debt.
First of each month, this little old lady peddles her bike to his house, and they visit his bank. They withdraw his money and travel around Phoenix, paying her bills and going on a shopping spree.
When confronted with all this he gets all defensive, and denies what is going on.
Cannot get Phoenix PD involved because he voluntarily doing all this.
Within the last 2 months he has taken his renter buddy down to the VA and the bank and had him set up as a personal advocate.

[6x6in6]

My grandmother passed away many years ago now of Alzheimer's.
I spent many a day with her for the time she spent in her care facility.  I also saw for myself, and heard from the staff, how many of the those mom's and dad's were ignored - just dumped there so to speak.

I'm in for $100 rt.
You got a PayPal that I could send it directly to you?

[rtspring]

Kurt Perkins
1365 SW Sage Dr.
Hermiston Oregon 97838

I dont have paypal, sorry.

This is one of the properties address. It is manned 24/7 and all mail will get to me if addressed to me.

Thanks a ton !!!  This is awesome!!!

[rtspring]

Have a meeting with management at 0800 this morning, I will be posting a list of items we could use..

Thanks again.

Rtspring

[jackmaster]

my mama had this very thing for the last couple years of her life, we all took care of her and then it got bad, and hospice came and set everything up at dads house, i took a couple weeks off of work, i stayed from 3am to 5pm and then dad would take the 5pm to 3am time, my brother couldnt stomach it so he never showed until mama passed on...... RTSPRING, your a helluva a guy in my book, and here all i thought you ever had were crazy arse wild stories, that we all really enjoy and come to find out you take care of good folks that cant fend for themselves anymore  good for you man.....

[LITTLEBUCK]

RT, this is something that is dear to my heart. I have lost my grandfather and mother to this illness and I will get something in the mail as soon as I can. Thanks for helping these people, even if it gives them a smile for  only five min. it will be worth it.  Thanks

[Carl]

I'm in for a donation.  You have a big heart, Rt. 

Wish I could give more.

Carl

[et1702]

Hey RT, I'm in for $100.00 too.  Lost my grandmother to this horrible diesease.  I was just a little guy back then.  But, you could see her remembering her own grandson and eyes would just light up.  After a couple years, she couldn't even remember her own realatives when we'd go to visit.  It was tough, because she was healthy as a horse and you could see the frustration.  After a while longer, I think she just gave up and decided it was her time to depart this world.  Although I was very young, I still remember her as she was; a very strong, caring and proud woman.  I'd go out and help her with chores on our family farm, taking care of dairy cows, pigs, chickens, gardening, and canning everything under the sun.  Great memories!

ET

[rtspring]

Here is a list of items, just imagine unless someone brings these items in they rarely get them. Obviously the essentials are paid for by the state or insurance..

Dvd's
Candy
Hunting stuff, a shed, calls, old binos, hunting stories.
We have several men that were hunters.. I let them play with alot of my calls and such.
Batteries
Seeds for gardening
Coffee, creamer, coffee cups
Bathroom items, tooth brushes, shaving cream etc.
Magazines, any type
Cards, board games
Music CD's
Plain paper pens
Painting stuff, paint brushes, paint

Use your imagination.  Lots of things bring back memories to these people.
Their attention span is not long but you would truly be amazed at what makes them smile...


Thanks again!!!

Rtspring