Submitted by Ken, son of Aging Wisely Client
January 2011

My father is 82 years old. He has Parkinson’s, dementia and signs of Lewy Body Syndrome. His condition deteriorated instantly as a result of a simple infection. Within two weeks he became aggressive, agitated, fearful, hallucinating almost constantly. Trying to treat this condition, his doctors, a general practitioner and a neurologist, gave a variety of medications which over the course of the next two weeks basically made him comatose, during my visits I literally could not wake him up. He went from 145 pounds down to 115 pounds.

A fortunate conversation with our attorney led to a referral to Aging Wisely which has been a god send to my father and my family. Aging Wisely got appointments with two specialists, a psychiatrist and a neurologist, appointments which both myself and our general practitioner were not able to get. Our Aging Wisely representative attended the appointments, coordinated their treatment and monitored my father’s progress. The two specialists took my father off literally every medication he had been taking and started a completely new regimen. As a result, my father returned to ‘normal’, walking again, responsive, conversational, almost entirely free of hallucinations. The nursing home said they had never seen a recovery like his before. Our Aging Wisely representative found an Assisted Living facility for my father and we were able to move him there two months ago; this is a great improvement over the nursing home.

I am confident that without the assistance we received from Aging Wisely, my father never would have recovered. We continue to use Aging Wisely to monitor and coordinate my father’s care, their expertise benefits my father but also gives the rest of our family peace of mind that everything that can be done, is being done.

I’d be pleased to speak with anyone facing the same distress we were in before we found Aging Wisely.

Sincerely,
Ken

Dear Linda:

I am writing on behalf of my family members to express our deep appreciation for everything Sue Lewis has done for our Mother, Mary E. Connelly and our family since August of 2009. When Mom fell and broke her hip in June of 2009, it became quite clear that we were in need of help with the many doctor’s appointments, driving, day to day activities and also emotional support. At first, Mom rejected the notion of a Care Manager, but after her first meeting with Sue she was hooked on the ideal. The bond and friendship was immediate!

Sue was an Angel brought to our Mom and she was with us every step of the way. The past two months of Mom’s life were not easy, as she was struggling from the affects of a mild stroked, the loss of driving privileges’ and eventually being admitted to Bay Care Alliant as she fought theta infection on her heart valve and the renal failure. Sue provided us with support, comfort and updates on medical status, but more importantly she was there to help Mom deal with the emotional stress and depression that she was having.

When it was becoming evident that Mom’s condition was worsening, it was Sue who provided me, one of two medical surrogates, the clarity and support I needed to deal with the doctors and family members. After the decision was made to suspend medical care on Tuesday evening, Sue was at the hospital Wednesday morning at 6 am consoling family members and making sure the proper care was being provided. Sue stayed with our mom and family for the next 24 hours and was by her side when she passed. When we all gathered Thursday am it was Sue who was again providing the comfort and support to all the family members.

Over the next few days Sue attended the family gatherings, viewing, funeral and burial – she was our adopted number “6″ daughter. At all these gatherings, Sue was there for the many Grandchildren and assorted family members, providing so much comfort to all.

I have tried my best to let you know what Sue has meant to our Mom over the past months and our family, unfortunately, words cannot properly describe what Sue has meant to us all. She really was an angel brought to us by God. We are blessed to have special people brought into our lives; Sue Lewis is one of those special people.

God Bless;

Kevin J. Connelly

Submitted by Mark, son of Aging Wisely Client
March 23, 2010

Dear Ms. Chamberlain

I want to bring to your attention the superb and skillful work that Julie Scott provided during a critical time of transition for our mother, Berth Janci. Like many families, we are a group of caring siblings who happen to be spread out across the country. My mother is fortunate that our sister Christine lives nearby, but we noticed that Christine’s reserves were quickly becoming depleted due to the constant attention she was giving to our mother.

Bertha was diagnosed with multiple myelomas nearly five years ago and fought to live her life in many remarkable ways. In recent months, we noticed that it was no longer safe for her to live alone in her home. Julie was a tremendous help in navigating a pathway to assisted-living. Julie spent focused time with our mother and also was a great help to me as I negotiated the various scenarios and we sought to give Bertha the respect and encouragement regarding this time of transition.

Julie was especially helpful as we all few in for a “loving intervention”. If it were not for Julie’s one-on-one time with our mother, and the wise counsel and respect she gave to Bertha, I am convinced we would still be stuck…and sick with worry.

Instead, Julie empowered Bertha to face the next chapter of her life. She also coached us on how to have a loving intervention, and finally went one-on-one with Bertha to visit assisted living facilities that were well within her financial means. This is quite a success story because our mother moved into a wonderful assisted living facility within one month of our all family fly in.

We owe a great deal of appreciation to Julie Scott for her caring and kind assistance. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, I hope other families will have the opportunity to benefit from Aging Wisely and the unique skill-set of your geriatric care managers.

Warmest regards,

Mark P Janci, CFP, AIF

Submitted by Joan, daughter of Aging Wisely clients.

Where do I begin? Let me begin by thanking you for being there in April when I first made the call to you. Right from the beginning you were there for my family and me. You made me feel that I had personally known you for years. We know what an impression that made on my dad!!!

I do know that what I received was a miracle. It is so difficult to live so far away from my parents when so much was and is still going on. I should have written down all the times I was amazed and grateful at what Juliet (care manager) handled. In addition to always accompanying my mom each time she was moved, which we know were many, she was always there for my phone calls. The communication and thoroughness around my mom’s medical condition gave me more knowledge than if I were there myself. Every time I would speak to Juliet she would always make me feel that I was the top on her list of priorities, what a gift.

It is hard to believe it has been six months since my mom became sick. As I reflect back over that time I realize that each time I went down to Florida I was freed up to spend all my time with my parents, mostly with my mom. I never had to handle all the STUFF, because Juliet handled it.

Thank you for Juliet.

Submitted by a local attorney:

I am writing to express my deep appreciation to Aging Wisely, and in particular, to your Care Manager Liz Barlowe for the incredibly professional and compassionate services that she recently gave to my late client.

As Mrs. G’s attorney and friend, I engaged Aging Wisely when it suddenly became apparent that she was sin need of services beyond that which I as an attorney could manage. I requested that an assessment of Mrs. G’s needs be conducted and recommendations made to plan for assistance to enhance her quality of life. At the time, neither I nor Liz had any idea that Mrs. G was facing the final days of her life. Liz immediately bonded with Mrs. G and in no time gained her and my utmost confidence in the way she gave such caring and sincere attention that was so greatly needed. Had it not been for Liz, neither her family nor I would have been able to adequately handle the crisis that suddenly arose.

Shortly after the assessment was made, Mrs. G fell and was taken to the hospital. Liz accompanied her there, and was in constant contact in the days that followed, regarding every aspect of her medical care, treatment and needs that seemed to change on a moment by moment basis. As it eventually turned out, had it not been for Liz, Mrs. G could have faced the end of her life totally alone. (Her stepson) was en route from New Jersey and I was planning to come out to the hospital on the day that she died. We knew that she was not doing well, but had no idea that her death was so imminent. As it turned out, Liz was the person who was with her at the moment that she passed away, and had the difficult task of informing her friends and family of her passing. I know this was a very tough thing for Liz to do, but she handled it in an incredibly professional, compassionate, and empathic manner.

A mere thank you seems insufficient, as we are so grateful for the existence of Aging Wisely, and Liz Barlowe’s services.

Submitted by: An Aging Wisely client’s daughter

I would be very happy to provide you with a summary of how you have helped us.

First of all you were wonderful with our Dad and helped us when Dad was in the Nursing Home and the Hospital-knowing you and Aging Wisely were there when we were not able to be. Also we all appreciate the daily or whenever necessary up to date E-Mail that kept us informed on Dad problems, and what both the Hospital and nursing home were doing or not doing for Dad.

Finally and most important was the way you were able to help our Mom and us when it came to Dad’s Funeral arrangements. By the time we had arrived in Florida everything was completed. We are glad that both you and Julie have a good relationship with Mom and because of that relationship things are being accomplished and enables Mom to live a better life. But I think the main thing is knowing that there is someone there to make sure everything is all right with Mom or if something goes wrong, that we will be informed.

Again thanks for all you help.