When Alzheimers Strikes Home .....

Bud Gates ( Val's Dad) with Georgia sitting on the patio taking in a beautiful view of the foothills
at his new home in The Villa's at Houghton in Tucson AZ



We  arrived in Tucson on April 1st, as Val's  Mom was in the hospital having surgery for 99% blockage of her coratid artery.   Mom  came through the surgery great. The problem was what to do with Dad, who has Alzheimers..  He could not be left alone.  They were living in  an  Assisted Living apartment, but  Dad needed more care.  For the next 6 weeks we spent countless hours running Mom and Dad to doctor's appointments and searching for a  new home for  Dad.

Mom's health scare brought to the forefront the fact that Dad needed more care than he could get at their current Assisted Living home, and  my 80 year old Mom recovering from surgery, had her own health issues.   The decision  was made  as a family, the time had come to find a new home for my 83 year old father.   I researched and visited 20 or more  places,  what I found was  often depressing.  After much prayer and what I believe was Devine intervention, my sister in law Kathy, who had been helping me with this task called me and said you need to see this Memory Care / Assisted Living Home  called "The Villas at Houghton".

I walked in the door, and my eyes filled with tears, our prayers were answered.    Although separating my parents after 61 years of marriage may seem terrible,   it was the right thing to do.  My Dad is doing great at his new home and Mom is doing great at her home.  I decorated Dad's room with pictures from the past, the time frame he now remembers, and he has his old recliners in his room and he seems to be very content with his new room and home.   His words "What's not to like?"   The staff is very caring and he is living in a beautiful home.  We can visit him anytime of the day or night.   Care giver ratio is 1  to  5 residents which is far better than any other facility I looked at.    Georgia is also always welcome, and began her training as future therapy dog while we were in Tucson.  The residents love having Georgia visit.

Bud's new room