| Friend of the Family Care Services |
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Julia Shaeffer was the greatest help to my husband and me over the course of two years as
Mr. Hundt's mild dementia progressed. She came for several hours in the middle of the
day, five days a week. Mr. Hundt looked forward enthusiastically to her visits which also
gave me free time out of the house. From experience with her own family and her years of
work with elderly patients, she brought a deep and heart-felt understanding of the issues
Alzheimer's and dementia present to patients and their families and caregivers.
She treated Mr. Hundt with respect, courtesy and warmth and entered into his world with
appreciation of his uniqueness and with great good humor. She cooked his favorite foods,
shared his jokes and was unfailing in her admiration for his adored pets. Each day she took
the trouble to print out the news of the day for him and often would stop to buy him
something special he liked to eat. Her visits engaged and delighted him. When I arrived
home, he always had a smile on his face and couldn't wait to tell me about their afternoon.
To see him happy and full of cheer was just wonderful and his good cheer carried over and
brightened our relationship.
As well as giving me some relief, Ms Shaeffer gave me full reports on how things went
each day and was kind enough to discuss with me my concerns about Mr. Hundt as well as
to give me her understanding and support and to shore me up when I flagged. Having her
by our side made all the difference to Mr. Hundt and me and made something positive and
very special out of a very painful and difficult situation.
Frances Hundt
Mr. Hundt's mild dementia progressed. She came for several hours in the middle of the
day, five days a week. Mr. Hundt looked forward enthusiastically to her visits which also
gave me free time out of the house. From experience with her own family and her years of
work with elderly patients, she brought a deep and heart-felt understanding of the issues
Alzheimer's and dementia present to patients and their families and caregivers.
She treated Mr. Hundt with respect, courtesy and warmth and entered into his world with
appreciation of his uniqueness and with great good humor. She cooked his favorite foods,
shared his jokes and was unfailing in her admiration for his adored pets. Each day she took
the trouble to print out the news of the day for him and often would stop to buy him
something special he liked to eat. Her visits engaged and delighted him. When I arrived
home, he always had a smile on his face and couldn't wait to tell me about their afternoon.
To see him happy and full of cheer was just wonderful and his good cheer carried over and
brightened our relationship.
As well as giving me some relief, Ms Shaeffer gave me full reports on how things went
each day and was kind enough to discuss with me my concerns about Mr. Hundt as well as
to give me her understanding and support and to shore me up when I flagged. Having her
by our side made all the difference to Mr. Hundt and me and made something positive and
very special out of a very painful and difficult situation.
Frances Hundt