Client Experience: Katherine and Maggie

One’s life is dramatically altered by the reality of care giving. Often it is The Baby Boomer Generation (people born between 1946-1964) making sacrifices in their careers, health, and immediate family. One of our long-time clients, Katherine, daughter of Maggie, did exactly this.

Eight years ago, Katherine chose to move Maggie into her home and become her full-time, primary caregiver. Quickly, Katherine realized she needed support and called OU Nursing Life Stage Solutions, who have been providing support ever since. Katherine describes her experience, "You don’t get training to care for someone with Alzheimer’s… Life Stage Solutions has been a tremendous help in providing me with the resources and support I need to take care of my mother. They [Life Stage Solutions] became my security blanket… There are not enough words to describe what my care manager, Sue [Sue Duckworth, Lead Case Manager] has done for my family. No matter what was going on in my home, she always made me feel important, special, and supported. My life and family really mattered to her."

In situations like Katherine and Maggie’s it is necessary to have outside support. The primary care giver cannot realistically do everything required. Although it is common for primary care givers to want to do everything on their own, research shows that this will inevitably lead to burnout.

Geriatric care management (also known as case management) is a collaborative approach to managing healthcare services from your living room. OU Nursing Life Stage Solutions comes to you and works with your family, physicians and other health care providers to arrange all necessary services to promote health, maximize well-being and support efforts to remain safely at home for as long as possible.