Pearls of Love & Compassion

We must now become students, allowing them to teach us: caring for persons with memory loss...

One of life’s most challenging moments is dealing with the memory loss of a loved one. Every ounce of our being feels a sense of loss and desires to stay connected with the person. We hope for their memory to return and often times find ourselves focusing on the loss – feeling remorse and sadness. It is at times like this that Connie Goldman, author of The Gifts of Caregiving, reminds us that this time can also become a meaningful experience for the family and professional caregivers, as well as for the care receiver. It is also a time to look carefully at what abilities remain and to make that our focus.

Working with persons experiencing memory loss has been a passion of mine for years. Over the years, my family and I have shared in the adventure of creating special programs and art for these residents.

As I participated in creating programs with various teams, it became apparent that those of us who are caregivers for our loved ones need to remind ourselves every day that we must wear our “student hat” as our loved ones with memory loss teach us how to serve and care for them. We must also realize that every person is uniquely different and that memory loss, whether caused by Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, plays out differently in every person. Therefore, we must become vigilant students, allowing each resident to teach us so that we can respond with care and dignity, honoring their very special circumstances. Just because they share in a common challenge, they are not all the same.

Avi Elias, June Sharp and their staff have worked hard to create this special place and program at Regal Palms. Under their leadership, along with Tammy Dunlap, Pearl Garden Life Enrichment Coordinator, the residents of Pearl Garden receive the finest care and service. Most importantly, they pay attention to the unique and special qualities of each resident as they practice the “Pearls of Love and Compassion.”

Gary Solomonson
National Director of Sales & Marketing
The Goodman Group