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The Meeting Place Provides Happy Memories for Families of Alzheimer’s Patients
NEWPORT – When Ted Walbert of Orleans passed away on September 30th, his family asked that donations go to The Meeting Place, an adult day service that had provided care for Walbert for much of his last year.
“I couldn’t have done this without you,” said daughter, Sandra Brown, speaking to Debra Hunt. “There are many baby-boomers who are out there, juggling work and caring for elderly parents.” Hunt is the President of Northeast Kingdom Homecare, Inc, and Director of The Meeting Place.
While Walbert suffered from Alzheimer’s for the last few years of his life, he remained physically active and socially engaged. He and his wife, Eleanor, attended The Meeting Place daily for over a year, thus allowing caregiver-daughter Sandra to keep working at Lake Region High School.
The Meeting Place provides a different kind of care. While there is nurse oversight, the facility is really providing support through socialization, exercise, and good nutrition. Clients receive breakfast and lunch, and they spend a lot of time getting to know their peers across the table or on opposite sides of a team sport.
Jennifer Barnes, Activities Coordinator, makes sure that every day is full of stimulation. She uses photographs to document everything they do. “We use the photographs to stimulate memories,” she says. “Scrap-booking our activities lets our clients relive the events over and over.” Collections of pictures are everywhere – a day at Crystal Lake, a ride to the top of Jay Peak, and visiting a horse at a nearby farm.
The clients at The Meeting Place got together to make their own memorial poster to Ted Walbert. In a group, they sifted through pictures and selected those for display. They shared Ted stories as they found pictures of Ted swimming at IROC or dressed in a grass skirt for a Hawaiian Luau themed party. Ted and his wife, Eleanor are shown examining an ear of corn at the Corn Maize. Eleanor, who continues to be a part of The Meeting Place, shared her laughter and tears with everyone else. Ted was loved for his dignity, intelligence, and wonderful sense of humor.
The Meeting Place is a Vermont-certified Adult Day Service. Clients include adults with different needs. Some could not be left home alone, others are more independent, but come for the activity and stimulation.
The facility, located in what was once a Baptist Church, is warm and welcoming. For those who work at The Meeting Place, there is nothing better than a day full of laughter. “I love hearing that sound,” says Vi Hauver, Director of Community Outreach and a well-known advocate for area seniors.
For more information on The Meeting Place, call 802-334-7604.