The Stepping Stone memory care unit at Villa of Corpus Christi South helps Alzheimer’s patients live comfortable, happy lives. Courtesy photo
Alzheimer’s is a horrible, hard disease that is one of the top 10 causes of death. It is also the only one for which there is no cure or prevention, which is why Donna Howland, executive director of the Villa of Corpus Christi South, chairs the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Corpus Christi. It’s also why she walks each year.
“I’m really trying to help raise awareness to increase research about ideas and medicines to curb this disease at least a little,” Howland said. “Throughout the year, we have lots of benefits to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.”
Two of those benefits are this month. Located at 4834 Yorktown Blvd., the Villa will hold a garage sale from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. Also on location Aug. 23, the facility will sell enchilada, rice and bean plates for $7.50 each. The food can be picked up from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Orders of 10 or more can be delivered.
WALKING THE WALK
This year’s walk, which is a mile and a half, begins at Heritage Park on Sept. 10. The goal is to raise $55,000. Walkers can register individually or form groups with each person carrying brightly colored paper flowers indicating their relationship to the disease.
Walkers who have lost someone to Alzheimer’s carry purple flowers; yellow is for caregivers; while orange is for those who support the cause of a world without Alzheimer’s. Those who have the disease carry blue flowers. Holland carries purple in honor of her uncle who died from Alzheimer’s.
Her family connection is only part of the reason Howland has made fighting Alzheimer’s disease her passion. She started working in home health in Longview but decided she needed to do more. She became a nurse, working her way up to executive director.
“I love elderly people,” Howland said. “They are a group that people forget. We don’t think about their wealth of knowledge. My favorite thing is to hear their stories.”
Even those with Alzheimer’s — a disease that robs a person of his or her memories — has stories. The disease begins with short-term memory loss, making it hard to get by day to day but preserving, for awhile, the stories of long ago.
“I love getting to know the people here, who they are,” she continued. “They make a difference every day in our lives.”
TREATMENT CHANGES
A key to treating Alzheimer’s patients is to “live in their world,” Howland said. That’s the focus of the Stepping Stones Alzheimer’s unit at Villa of Corpus Christi South. A private-pay facility, Villa of Corpus Christi South offers quality care at an affordable price.
“That’s what sets us apart, especially in memory care,” Howland said. “Most facilities are $5,000 to $6,000 a month. We are at $3,000 to $3,600 a month.”
As private-pay, the facility does not accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Care for the patients begins even before they come to live in the Stepping Stones memory care unit. Holland and her staff provide a personal assessment, meeting with family members and their loved ones at home.
“Sometimes, people with Alzheimer’s are overwhelmed with changes and their behavior is different,” Howland said. “We come to where you are so that they don’t feel threatened. We get comfortable with them and them with us so we can properly assess their status.”
Once a decision is made, when they move in, they already know some of the staff and feel more comfortable with the change.
“We get into their world and find out what’s best for them,” she continued. “We also try to educate our families on the concept of living in their world.”
Years ago, Alzheimer’s treatment meant re-orienting the patient in reality. For example: reminding them a spouse or other loved one is dead when they believe that person to be alive.
“They don’t remember, and it stresses them out even more,” she said. “Instead of making them relive the loss over and over again, go along with what they say. Just remind them of who you are again and again. And don’t worry when they don’t remember it from minute to minute.”
Living in their world helps family members build a new relationship with the person their loved one has become.
“For the family members, it’s hard,” Howland said. “They want Mom to be Mom, and she’s not that person anymore. You have to get to know the new mom and have a relationship with that person.”
Villa of Corpus Christi South is located at 4834 Yorktown Blvd. For more information, call (361) 991-3252. You can also visit the website at villaassistedliving.com. Information about the Walk to End Alzheimer’s can be found at act.alz.org.
