Care for M'Liss as she Cares for Chuck

M’Liss and Chuck have been married for many years and refer to each other as the loves of their lives.

Chuck was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and is currently in the final stages of his journey through this terminal and tragic disease. Both M’Liss and Chuck have served others, their family, and friends throughout life. M’Liss retired as a school Health Technician, and Chuck’s history rich in serving his community and country started during his time in Vietnam in the Air Force with his career concluding in retirement as a well-respected and well-loved firefighter for the Ontario Fire Department in Southern California.

 

 

 

Chuck has a fantastic medical team caring for his needs as Alzheimer’s progresses, but home support in the late stages of his dementia lands on M’Liss’ shoulders as his sole caregiver at home, with a round-the-clock, full-time job of coordinating his medical care, appointments, managing household responsibilities alone, preparing meals and enrichment activities, helping to alleviate Chuck’s emotional concerns during the difficult and confusing daily sundowning, and navigating new and undignified symptoms that surface every day.

 

M’Liss has enlisted the help of Chuck’s caregiver, Ernie, who is the only assistance she has to take Chuck for walks, accompany them on doctor’s appointments, provide male companionship on day trips and outings, and relieve M’Liss to take care of household chores, shopping or lunch with a friend. Ernie’s care is such a blessing and much-needed mental break for M’Liss that there have been times that she will just go to a local park and nap or talk on the phone for some quiet and solitude to process her emotions and rest.

 

Ernie’s cost comes at a price of $150 for 8 hours, which is understandably a significant financial burden beyond the two days a week that he’s currently helping. M’Liss could not do this without Ernie’s kind ear and support, and Ernie enriches Chuck’s experience with great conversations, long walks, watching airplanes land, and so much more. Help us care for M’Liss and Chuck by raising funds to provide more time with Ernie so M’Liss can continue to nurture and love Chuck in these final chapters of his life with peace and dignity. Any amount helps, and all funds will go straight to M’Liss.

 

You don't need to donate much to show that you care. For just $5 you can  still sign the guest book with sentiments of love and support or favorite memories and stories for both M’Liss and Chuck. They’ve given so much to the community, to each other, their families, and now we’d like to give back to them and let them know how much they are loved.

 

 

Thank you!

(If you prefer to donate privately to M'Liss, her Venmo is @mliss-hill)