We are the husbands & wives, brothers & sisters, sons & daughters, sons- and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and "friends-like-family" of the Hearthstone residents. We've spent many years in life and love together. We want our close connection to continue, expanded now to include a bigger Hearthstone "family." We've always been an important part of the picture, doing things to help, that create enjoyment and meaningful connection. We want to be sure each of us has the opportunity to keep doing, loving, and giving, with ease, and in our own styles, now taking the bigger Hearthstone "family" into account and respecting the demands and options necessitated by the disease we are facing together.

We have a good thing going!

Hearthstone family members and friends meet once a month at each residence on a regular day and time. We schedule one main topic to learn about and save some time to ask questions and give our advice.

All family members and friends of Hearthstone residents are very welcome to attend family meetings. That includes out-of-town family members who are visiting, family and friends of new residents, and those who can only come once in a while.

We're getting smart
We're making a difference
It's good to be together

We're not the typical "support group" although support happens because of what we learn, what we do together, and the insights, successes, and challenges that we share. And, we're not the typical "family council" acting as formal advisors, although we do find that we provide a valuable perspective and that Hearthstone staff find our insights interesting and helpful.

Some of the topics we have already discussed with experts from Hearthstone and from the field of Alzheimer's disease are . . .

• New Perspectives on Cognition in Alzheimer's Disease


• Environmental Design for Alzheimer's/Dementia


• Communication with our family members who have Alzheimer's/Dementia (Saying "hello" Does he/she know me? Visiting well. Going out. Saying "good-bye")


• The Communicative & Healing Power of Touch & Massage


• The Geriatric Psychiatrist's Perspective


• Design and Use of the Healing Garden for Alzheimer's Disease


• Enhanced Care for Advanced Stages of Alzheimer's Disease


• Little Things Mean a Lot: Wonderful, Personal Things to Do While Visiting
• Hearing Loss & Dementia


• We Are Family: How Does That Work in Assisted Living?


• Clothing That Works and Brings Delight and Self-Esteem


• Music: Creating Connections, Touching Memories, Being a Path to Feelings, Soothing & Enlivening Tired Spirits

It's about getting more involved, if and when we can, as much as we choose. It's about discovering what little things we might do from time to time. Hearthstone families identify, develop, and support the participation of families in Hearthstone activities and the Hearthstone environment. We do things together and make sure we share our discoveries, successes, and misses with each other. We incorporate little things and big things, things that involve many residents and families or only a few, things that take time, a little or more, maybe materials, even things from "out-of-town."

We found ourselves asking questions like . . .

What else could I do?
Would it bother staff if I . . . ?
I would like to do more, but what?
I'm good at . . . How would that be helpful and fun for my Mom and her Hearthstone friends?
I live far away, but I still want to do something that makes a difference - what?
I was thinking of . . . but would it be good for Dad and the other residents?
I used to . . . with my grandmother. How could we do something like that again?
Sometimes I would like to do more with my Mother when we visit at Hearthstone, but I need some ideas.
Hearthstone is my husband's home. Although I'm busy, what little things could I do to contribute?
I don't sing or play the guitar, but I would like to help make the special events a wonderful experience. What can I do?

Some of the things Hearthstone families have done together are . . .

Fall bulb planting
Collecting tapes of memorable music
Bringing antique cars for the Memorial Day event
Visiting with our pets
Making vivid, visually appropriate photo theme books
Taking and sharing photos of our special events
Playing guitar and singing for a small group
Creating a staff appreciation day for staff who do so much every day
Joining the Alzheimer's Memory walk in September
Helping find things on the staff's "wish list" for their Life Quality activities

Hearthstone families write a biographical story of Hearthstone residents for their newsletter, the Hearthstone Herald.

A completely optional endeavor, family members who choose to do so are moved by being in touch with the rich, whole life of their loved one and of the continued fulfillment of their life at Hearthstone. Few of us are writers, yet, as family members, it is we who are able to so fully recount their whole lives.

These wonderful stories are filled "between the factual lines" with the precious essence of the character and personality that have always been, and continue to be, so essentially who our loved ones, the Hearthstone residents, are. Each of them, and all of them together, have brought so much to our world. When we share their stories, the entire Hearthstone "Family" that includes all the families and staff know them better and can relate to them more meaningfully.