History and Experience

I was standing beside “Bob’s” hospital bed trying to communicate with this man I had known for several years and come to love. He had entered the hospital for some tests 5 days ago. He had been brought by non-emergent ambulance, joking with the driver at the time. Now, he couldn’t complete a sentence, was disheveled and a bit scary. He had on soft restraints and could not reach the water and snack food on the bedside table. After an hour and water, a little food and some conversation, he was almost himself again. He asked me to pull up a chair and sit down for a while.

What happened?

“Bob” lived in a Memory Care Assisted Living community and was pretty forgetful. He rarely remembered my name, but he always knew my face and that I was a friend. After talking to several hospital staff it was apparent that some knew he had dementia and assumed he could not walk or comprehend anything. Others were unaware and just thought he was irritable and contrary. Somewhere he had slipped through the cracks so we contacted his son. “Bob” was back home the next day and soon “himself,” again. He wasn’t who he used to be, but he was his best self, given the limitations his current level of dementia allowed. Afterward, I told the director, “Someday, I’m going help care providers and families discover and understand people with dementia. I want to help them have the fullest life and best relationships possible.”

That was over 10 years ago. Elder Guidance Service is the realization of that vision.