When I met my friend, Leeann, we hit it off immediately. The parallels in our lives made for an instant kinship. We met at a Coast Guard event Leeann’s husband is active Coast Guard as was my fiance (now husband). This is the obvious connection. As we started sharing our stories we found another common bond, caring for an aging parent. I moved to North Carolina to care for my father, who’s congested heart failure no longer allowed him to live alone. He needed support and assistance with his day to day activities. Leeann has cared for her mother who lives with brain damage as a result from a brain tumor, providing the same support and day to day assistance. Most recently, Leeann’s mom has had additional medical complications and is now living at the Assisted Living Community, Currituck House here in Moyock. Leeann now takes on even more care-giving responsibilities, as she is an active volunteer at Currituck House and still caring for her mom and tending to all her mom’s errands, shopping and taking her to and from doctor appointments and anything else that arises. Leeann could ask for a break but instead she asks for greater awareness and more community involvement.
There is a growing number of adult children caring for their parents, 22.4 million households according to AARP. On average, an adult child caregiver can spend 18 hours per week caring for one’s parent providing companionship, running errands, attending doctor appointments and assisting with personal care. It is important as a community we fix in the mind our elders, our aging parents and honor and appreciate them individually and collectively. The task one person takes on alone can be accomplished by a circle of people creating a unified sense of accomplishment and community. Slow down and get involved, the difference you make in some one else’s life will most definitely make a difference in yours. Leeann and I, along with so many others know the simple truth of this. It’s just the going it alone that makes it difficult.
So, please feel inspired to help another, make a difference and get involved in our community.
With that said, there is a great opportunity to get involved coming up soon at the Currituck House Carnival. The assisted living program provides all the basic care and needs of its residents, but has no funding for the Resident Activity Program.
On October 15, 2011 from 11:00AM until 3:00PM Currituck House is having a “Fall Ball” fundraiser to raise money for the Resident Activity Program. This program will be able to provide entertainment, transportation, entry fees, and other services to our residents who would not have access to these events otherwise.
I am asking for the generosity of our community to provide silent auction items and/or monetary donations to help us reach our goal. Volunteers are also needed to provide entertainment or static displays to attract customers. In return Currituck House will make sure to advertise that you are a sponsor of the event.
For more information about the carnival and participating in the silent auction you can reach Leeann Botzenhart at 252-202-5441 or Carolyn Hewlett at 252-435-1024.
I will see you there!
http://www.currituckhouse.com/default.htm CURRITUCK HOUSE
This just in: Scot Stor is donating to the Silent Auction!
Come join the festivities, volunteer and share your wares & services at the silent auction!
Entertainers still needed & baked goods requested for the BAKE SALE!
You can also contact me at Remax, Darlene 252-414-7943. Reply to this POST with your support, suggestions for entertainers and silent auction donations.
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Like Loading...
