I want to say how impressed I am with the Bridges staff in the Hollis residents’ house. A week or so ago my husband was sitting by the staff station doing nothing. I came in, sat down beside him, and said my usual stuff to him. He continued to sit there not acknowledging much. Then all of the sudden, this staff member came up to him and said “Hi, my handsome John. Will you dance with me?” She was singing and dancing and he got himself right up out of the chair and went along with her. (It was always like pulling teeth to get this guy to dance with me. I sure wish I knew back then what the Bridges staff had that I didn’t.) Then I realized this young woman had just been mopping the floor a few minutes prior. I am more apt to expect this from the caregiving staff. She was amazing with my husband. She brightened his day, and mine, too. Then, this past Sunday, I was visiting when an aide came and said John, there is live music in the community room in a half hour. I asked him if he wanted to go, and he said yes. That hour or so that I spent with him in that room with the other residents made my WEEK! As the singer sang, I realized these people may not know their own names, but they knew every word to every 50s and 60s songs. I listened to them all sing and clap their hands and tap their feet. When I left John, I had such a high. I couldn’t wait to tell my Alzheimer’s support group the next day at our regular weekly meeting.
– Pat, Wife of Bridges® Resident