For This Lakewood Family, There's No Place Like Home
Married for 57 years, Marie, 82, and Serge Boccassini, 83, cherished being able to entertain family and friends in their Lakewood home. Sharing warm conversation amid the aroma of freshly cooked sauces and meals was more than a way of showing love for their family; it represented independence.
That independence was jeopardized three years ago when Marie and Serge experienced serious health issues. In spring 2007, Marie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Three months later, Serge was diagnosed with the early stages of dementia.
Fearing they would be a burden, Marie and Serge were hesitant to move in with their daughter, Natalie Trump, who has worked with people with developmental disabilities for some 25 years. They were also hesitant to move to an assisted living or full-time care facility. Instead, Natalie pursued another option: full-time live-in care.
“As a health care professional, I knew that live-in care was the best option for my parents,” Natalie says. “It would help preserve their quality of life and independence and would keep them vigorous, engaged, and in their comfortable surroundings.”
She worked with Kim Scangarella, R.N., director of private services for Meridian At Home, to find a caregiver who could move in with her parents, adapting to their preferences and needs while driving them to appointments.
“Meridian At Home took the time to review our insurance coverage, understand the lifestyle needs and conditions of my parents, and identify a thoughtful caregiver who could become a trusted live-in caregiver,” Natalie says.
For most of the past three years, that caregiver was Lucy. She became a close and trusted member of the family, even enjoying holidays at the dinner table with the family.
When Lucy relocated not long ago, it was time to find a male caregiver with the upper-body strength to more easily move Serge and Marie. Having grown close to Lucy, Marie had reservations about a new caregiver being able to connect with the family as Lucy had.
Those reservations quickly disappeared when Ameyaw, their new caregiver, entered the picture. Serge found not only a trusted caregiver, but also a friend with whom he can hold conversations about sports, fishing, and other hobbies. Marie was thrilled that Amo is an excellent cook who shares her passion for food.
“The Boccassinis are an excellent example of how live-in care can be tailored to the needs and lifestyle of each family, and how we screen and match families with the right caregiver,” Kim says. “Many families are unaware of the many benefits of live-in care. The value in allowing people to remain in their home surroundings is incalculable.”
That independence was jeopardized three years ago when Marie and Serge experienced serious health issues. In spring 2007, Marie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Three months later, Serge was diagnosed with the early stages of dementia.
Fearing they would be a burden, Marie and Serge were hesitant to move in with their daughter, Natalie Trump, who has worked with people with developmental disabilities for some 25 years. They were also hesitant to move to an assisted living or full-time care facility. Instead, Natalie pursued another option: full-time live-in care.
“As a health care professional, I knew that live-in care was the best option for my parents,” Natalie says. “It would help preserve their quality of life and independence and would keep them vigorous, engaged, and in their comfortable surroundings.”
She worked with Kim Scangarella, R.N., director of private services for Meridian At Home, to find a caregiver who could move in with her parents, adapting to their preferences and needs while driving them to appointments.
“Meridian At Home took the time to review our insurance coverage, understand the lifestyle needs and conditions of my parents, and identify a thoughtful caregiver who could become a trusted live-in caregiver,” Natalie says.
For most of the past three years, that caregiver was Lucy. She became a close and trusted member of the family, even enjoying holidays at the dinner table with the family.
When Lucy relocated not long ago, it was time to find a male caregiver with the upper-body strength to more easily move Serge and Marie. Having grown close to Lucy, Marie had reservations about a new caregiver being able to connect with the family as Lucy had.
Those reservations quickly disappeared when Ameyaw, their new caregiver, entered the picture. Serge found not only a trusted caregiver, but also a friend with whom he can hold conversations about sports, fishing, and other hobbies. Marie was thrilled that Amo is an excellent cook who shares her passion for food.
“The Boccassinis are an excellent example of how live-in care can be tailored to the needs and lifestyle of each family, and how we screen and match families with the right caregiver,” Kim says. “Many families are unaware of the many benefits of live-in care. The value in allowing people to remain in their home surroundings is incalculable.”
