Three lives that crossed at just the right time.
I recently worked with a client that was one of the hardest cases I have ever taken on. Sally lives in Lakewood, she is estranged from most of her family, she has one half sister out of state that she would speak to on the phone a few times a month. Sally had a fall, then returned home, and fell again. She was not getting the help she needed because she was falling through the cracks with no advocates or people watching out for her. Mind you, this was all happening at the height of COVID!
After many tearful conversations, lots of difficult zoom calls, Sally picked a new assisted living to move into. It is near her old neighborhood, and that brought some comfort. But she basically had to pick her next home from a video conference, an idea of the area, and a drive by of the outside of the home. More tears, and lots of paperwork later, Sally got moved in.
About a year earlier, I had another client that chose the same assisted living for his own care. He had Parkinson's and told me that living on his own had just become too hard, too lonely, and he wanted a community to spend the rest of his days. This client also had a unique challenge for me to overcome, his 80 pound service dog. You read that right, a big dog, but a huge love.
Fast forward to this summer. Sally moves in and meets her new housemates, including our big furry friend Boone. Boone belongs to David, but sadly, shortly after Sally moved in, David passed away.
I was talking with the owner of the Assisted Living and checking in on how my clients were doing, were they adjusting, did they need anything, etc. The owner shared the David passed away, BUT they were going to remain the family for Boone. Great news! I hated the idea of Boone
going to a shelter or worse.
The best part of this story... in speaking with Sally's sister, she revealed that Sally has "adopted" Boone and is taking great pride and joy in providing for his care. Sally was at her darkest time in life prior to moving into the assisted living, even the idea of leaving her home crippled her with grief, but she had no one else to care for her. Sally finding Boone was her turning point. She is joyful, caring, HAPPY, and feels like she has a purpose. I know David would want his Boone to care for someone else like he cared for David.
The sun, the moon, and the stars aligned. David rests in peace, Sally and Boone remain dear friends.
Morgan Leigh Jenkins
Transition Director
Phone: (303) 847-6861
Email: Morgan@maintain-me.com