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Herb and Carolyn Olsen
Helping others in Catholic Charities CYO’s Advent Season of Caring
December 2nd, 2009
By Special Report
Though compassion has no season, it is at this time of year that we are especially reminded of unselfish giving for the benefit of others. As economic difficulties have rippled through society, the demand for services at Catholic Charities CYO is dramatic and your support this Advent Season is more vital than ever.
Over the coming weeks of the Advent Season, CCCYO will be sharing stories about the families and individuals we support, stabilize and strengthen through our programs and services. The stories reflect the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love. This series is part of CCCYO’s Advent Season of Caring campaign.
When you support CCCYO with your Advent Season of Caring gift, you’re helping more than 30 programs serve more than 40,000 families, at-risk youth, aging and disabled adults, and people with HIV/AIDS each year. When you consider all the services CCCYO offers and all the people who can benefit, you will see why your support of the organization at this time is so critical.
“This Advent Season, as we remember another family in need – the Blessed Mother and her newborn, who stayed in a stable because there was no room at the inn – we ask you to remember families who need a safe place to stay and a friend like you who cares,” notes CCCYO Executive Director Jeff Bialik.
For more information on ways to give please visit our website at www.cccyo.org/advent or call 415-972-1291.
Catholic Charities CYO program helps a wife care for her husband battling Alzheimer’s
When Carolyn Olsen looks at her husband Herb, she remembers his independent character and a social personality which has now become overshadowed by effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
Herb grew up in Cleveland and enjoyed travel and dancing. He served in the Navy and after the Korean War, he settled down in San Francisco where he has lived ever since. He found leisure in Masonic groups and as a lodge man. Herb, who is now 78 years old, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2006.
Since then, a man who once preferred living his life helping others – never needing help for himself – is now facing the effects of memory loss, behavior changes and dementia. Carolyn knew that she needed extra support to keep up with her husband’s need for care.
For the last two years, Herb has been attending San Francisco Adult Day Services (SFADS), a licensed adult day program through Catholic Charities CYO that provides structured, supervised care for seniors. Through SFADS and its Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center (ADCRC), seniors with middle-to-late stage Alzheimer’s disease can safely participate in social education and recreational activities.
When Herb was diagnosed, Carolyn began research on support programs. She still works and was looking for an alternative from placement in permanent care facilities. The Olsens were referred to SFADS through Kaiser Permanente’s outreach services in San Francisco. At first, Herb was cantankerous – unhappy to rely on help from a day care and unwilling to participate in activities. As Herb’s doctors and Carolyn searched for the best combination of medication to control his moods and ease his struggle with Alzheimer’s, the staff at SFADS remained calm and dedicated to providing the best support possible.
Now, two years later, Herb rarely complains and Carolyn believes that the consistency that the SFADS environment provides has helped balance Herb’s changing behaviors. The Olsens have developed their own routine: Herb attends SFADS five days a week as Carolyn works, then they spend many of their evenings enjoying dinners out. On nights where Carolyn has plans away from home, SFADS staff members often are available to provide care and supervision for Herb.
“Herb is not at the point where he needs to be put in a home facility full-time,” notes Carolyn. “SFADS has been an excellent place for Herb to spend his days in a social environment. The staff is extremely trustworthy and it is a relief to have this program available.”
In September 2008, Herb had a bout of pneumonia as a result of dehydration. The results caused his personality to become irate and difficult for Carolyn to handle by herself. With SFADS help – in conjunction with support from Veteran’s Affairs – Herb was able to overcome this hurdle. SFADS has helped Herb maintain a nutritious diet and accommodates his personal needs of staying hydrated.
Herb is just one of the faces of aging adults who have developed a life of consistency and stability as a result of attending SFADS. In 2008 – 2009, a total of 1,019 seniors benefited from the community and integrative programs and services through Catholic Charities CYO.
Herb’s story is the first in a series from Catholic Charities CYO’s Advent Season of Caring campaign. This holiday giving campaign shares intimate stories of the clients we serve and the ways in which their lives have been changed for the better, because of our work and the generosity of our loyal supporters. For ways you can help, visit www.cccyo.org/seasonofcaring or call Marti Sullivan at 415.972.1291.
From December 4, 2009 issue of Catholic San Francisco.
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