Of Being a Better Person

In the past few weeks, four of our former Charlie’s Place clients have passed away. Not a good way to begin a Blog, but a reflection that not only has me very grateful that I was given the privilege of knowing and serving these clients during their stay at Charlie’s Place, but also an acknowledgement and appreciation of the lives they had led...lives and full history possibly not known to those who cared for them.

George always called me “Miss Corpus Christi” referencing my hometown. He was a native Texan, too, and so most of our conversations always centered around the second largest State in the U.S. We’d talk about great sites and share memories of our respective growing up days. He gave me a sense of belonging, asking me about my home state, and I loved the reminiscing periods with him. He did talk about the Navy, but it slipped my mind until reading his obituary that he served in World War II. A life of service. A life well lived.

Georgia kept me on my toes. Intelligent, witty, and a great storyteller, she was a delight to engage in conversation. I remember how her eyes lit up when children from our Generations program visited Charlie’s Place. She loved children, and I could always tell she was a natural born educator. What I remember most about Georgia, however, was her deep spirituality. She always was an attentive participant in my Bible Study classes. One of the last events I directed in which she attended was a Christian Seder Meal on Holy Thursday, right before Easter. We closed the prayer service with singing the “Our Father.” As the music began to play, and everyone began to sing, Georgia lifted each hand beside her and clutched her neighbor. The clients all followed suit. Around the table, all the Charlie’s Place clients had bowed their heads and were holding hands and singing/praying the “Our Father.” The scene was a mental photograph that will never erase from my mind and one in which I will always cherish. It brings me to tears writing about it. You can’t imagine the overwhelmingly thrust of emotions I experienced with Georgia that day. I was so gifted to know her.

Another client named George also passed away. He was a character. I remember the day we completed the admission papers with his son and he noticed an electrical outlet high on the wall of our Program room. As he was leaving, he tapped it and turned to me and said, “That’s in the wrong place.” George was an Electrician so he knew the standards. I smiled and responded that we would take care of it. Quiet and reserved George made a memorable transition during his stay here at Charlie’s Place…one for our history books. He was the proverbial caterpillar that changed into a butterfly. Whatever the analogy, George experienced a metamorphosis at Charlie’s Place and by December of the year he had been admitted to Charlie’s Place, he was playing Santa for the children in our Generations program. And, though he could not really verbalize his excitement, I could read his eyes to see his expression of gratitude that playing Santa gave him a purpose and a sense of self-worth. I wonder sometimes if George and my dad crossed paths as both of them served in the Korean War conflict. I am sure there were many more stories to tell about George.

Last, but not least, we lost Bill. Bill had a short stay at Charlie’s Place and unfortunately, I did not get to know him as well as the other clients. However, I did experience Bill’s love of family and children and his love of music. Having been in the music ministry at Comite Baptist Church, Bill would ignite during sing-a-longs and Bible Study. What I remember most about Bill was his sensitivity, his placid nature, never wanting to impose on anyone, always offering assistance to others. He was one of those kind and gentle souls that one tries to emulate.

Four lives gone. These were individuals, contributing individuals to family and society, with generations of stories to appreciate and acknowledge. Yet, perhaps Alzheimer’s prevented anyone from looking beyond the disease, masking the immense history lessons of great benefit to us.

For me, the experience of knowing these four unique individuals, who happened to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, can be described best by a line in the movie, “As Good As It Gets.” Jack Nicholson’s character tells Helen Hunt’s character, “You make me want to be a better man.”

For the two Georges, Georgia and Bill, and for all the present clients at Charlie’s Place, I whisper that line to myself at the end of each day, for each experience, each encounter with them is a privilege. All of them, past and present, and others we serve, simply, make me want to be a better person.

-Dana Territo, Director of Services

Protecting Your Skin From Sun Exposure

A new season begins--Spring is here! The warmer weather is finally upon us, but the sun’s rays are stronger. While enjoying the sun with your loved ones, below is some helpful information and tips:

As you age, your skin grows thinner, more fragile, and less likely to protect and rejuvenate itself. Because sun damage is the greatest threat to human skin, people with sensitive, older skin must take diligent precautions to avoid as much sun exposure as possible.

While various methods and cosmetic topical products are effective, understand that no single approach is 100% successful in warding off ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a known cause of skin cancer and other skin-related diseases.

The best advice is to combine smart sun care tools and techniques to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Here are some tips to help keep you sun-safe all season long.

1) Pick Shade Over Sun
Whether you're at home or out walking, prevent sun damage to elderly skin by staying in shady corridors or porches, especially during the hottest part of the day. The sun's rays are strongest in North America between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

2.) Apply Sunscreen Daily
Sunscreen is the most powerful skin care product you can use to protect aging skin. Dermatologists recommend that you apply an SPF 30 formula to exposed skin daily, whether you'll be indoors or out. Sunscreen of this strength is scientifically proven to absorb 97% of harmful UV rays, which are able to pass through clouds and glass. Reapply sunscreen after sweating or showering and use it liberally.

3.) Don’t Forget to Moisturize
Keep skin moist with a high-quality lotion or cream. Elderly skin is already prone to dryness, which sun damage and hot temperatures can make worse. A good moisture barrier created by applying a skin care cream or lotion prevents water loss from the various layers of skin.

4.) Wear Protective Clothes
Long-sleeved pants and shirts create excellent, inexpensive sun protection for elderly skin. Using specially designed UV hats and clothing that provide extra sun safety for times when you wish to be outdoors is recommended.

5.) Use Protective Accessories
Fabrics and films that block UV radiation are also used to make umbrellas, sunglasses, window shades and car window tints. Shield your sensitive skin from sun damage with these items.

-Effie Marcantel

Celebrating 30 Years!

It was wonderful to come together for our 30^th Anniversary Gala sponsored by L’Auberge Casino and Hotel on March 21. It is hard to believe how far we have come from the support group Mona Romaine started back in 1983! Though we still face the challenges of the devastating disease that is Alzheimer’s, we have continued to expand the network of educational resources and support throughout the 10-parish area we serve.

So many people who have been significant to our organization over the years made the evening a huge success! In addition, we were honored to have Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne as our Master of Ceremonies, Mayor Kip Holden and special guests James Carville and Mary Matalin. I must say the mayor’s extremely touching words moved me beyond tears. This disease is very close to my family making it all the more emotional! James and Mary kept it light-hearted and poignant as they shared their own story.  Ned Fasullo and the Fabulous Little Big Band provided live musical entertainment to complement the memorable evening in addition to a commemorative cake donated by Maureen Frey and an array of hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.

It was a powerful event with so many people affected by Alzheimer’s in some way! How nice to celebrate the accomplishments that have been made and the lives that have been impacted. I pray that a cure for Alzheimer’s will soon be available, but it is comforting to know that we can help caregivers through the challenging journey in the meantime. Our Executive Director, Barbara Auten, is dedicated to this mission and is also deeply affected. Thanks to the Baton Rouge community for making our efforts possible and making a difference in the lives of so many of us!

-Jeri McCullough