Your giving makes life better Laura and Dean Montgomery

Since 1984, Huntington Senior Care Network (SCN) has worked to help older adults, adults with disabilities and their families to be healthy, productive and independent. Proceeds from Huntington Collection, along with thoughtful gifts from members of our community, allow SCN to offer its education, support and other valuable services to local residents. Laura and Dean Montgomery are among the many community members who have benefited from SCN’s services.

Laura Montgomery had begun experiencing some worrying memory lapses. She consulted a physician and underwent a series of tests. In 2017, at just 58 years old, Laura was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s been a transition” — for her and for her husband Dean — she says. Laura had always been an in-charge kind of person. Now, Dean would need to become the caregiver in their relationship. When Laura’s doctor recommended the Montgomerys obtain help in adjusting to their new situation, they enrolled in SCN’s Alzheimer’s Los Angeles Memory Club, which provides important support in coping with memory loss. Led by expert staff from SCN, and featuring respected guest speakers,

Memory Club is an eight-week program available free of charge for people with early-stage dementia and for their care partners.

“Every day, I get mad at myself, and I like the fact that I have someone to talk to. It makes it better,” Laura said, when interviewed at the time of the couple’s participation. “It also makes me feel better that

Dean has an outlet and people to talk to about this,” she added. “It’s such a steep learning curve and such a big transition for both of us.”

The Montgomerys also took part in SCN’s Taking care of you: powerful tools for caregivers. This low-cost six-week program is designed to support caregivers. “It helps you to deal with your emotions and to make sure you take care of yourself as well as your partner,” Dean explained. “It’s also helped me communicate with Laura better and I appreciate the weekly action plans it provides. You have the chance to talk to people who are going through the same thing as you,” he added.

All of us at Huntington Senior Care Network (SCN) are thankful for the opportunity to help improve the lives of local seniors and adults with disabilities, throughout the year. Our care coordination services, support groups for caregivers, classes for those affected by memory loss and other programs make a real difference for our community. (As an example, see the sidebar at right to learn how local residents Laura and Dean Montgomery have benefited from some of the programs we offer.)

We are also grateful to the many partners who work with us to make an even greater difference for those we serve. This includes generous donors and volunteers, as well as other care providers, local companies and members of our community.

In addition, of course, we deeply appreciate our dedicated staff members. I believe their knowledge and compassion are unmatched in our field and I am so proud of all that they do and accomplish each day.

In 2019, SCN marked a special anniversary: We have now been serving older adults, adults with disabilities and their family caregivers — both in the hospital and in their homes — for 35 years. We are truly grateful to you for your friendship to date, and we look forward to serving you in 2020 and beyond.

Warmest regards,

Eileen Koons, MSW Director of Huntington Senior Care Network

P.S. To help you stay healthy, this year and next, please see our special insert to learn how you can protect yourself from the flu.

Laura Montgomery had begun experiencing some worrying memory lapses. She consulted a physician and underwent a series of tests. In 2017, at just 58 years old, Laura was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s been a transition,” she says — for her and for her husband, Dean. Laura had always been an in-charge kind of person. Now, Dean would need to become the caregiver in their relationship.

When Laura’s doctor recommended the Montgomerys obtain help in adjusting to their new situation, they enrolled in SCN’s Alzheimer’s Los Angeles Memory Club, which provides important support in coping with memory loss. Led by expert staff from SCN, and featuring respected guest speakers, Memory Club is an eight-week program available free of charge for people with early-stage dementia and their care partners.

“Every day, I get mad at myself, and I like the fact that I have someone to talk to. It makes it better,” says Laura. “It also makes me feel better that Dean has an outlet and people to talk to about this,” she adds. “It’s such a steep learning curve and such a big transition for both of us.”

The Montgomerys also participate in SCN’s Taking care of you: powerful tools for caregivers. This low-cost six-week program is designed to support caregivers. “It helps you to deal with your emotions and to make sure you take care of yourself as well as your partner,” Dean explains. “It’s also helped me communicate with Laura better and I appreciate the weekly action plans it provides. You have the chance to talk to people who are going through the same thing as you,” he adds. “I’d recommend these resources to anyone.”

Above: Laura and Dean Montgomery (seated) with Michael Berman, social worker, Huntington Senior Care Network.

The Montgomerys’ story was initially published in the Winter/Spring 2020 edition of the 50+ HealthConnection newsletter. 50+ HealthConnection is a free membership program of Huntington Senior Care Network (SCN). It provides information about aging, health issues, caregiving and overall well-being, as well as a calendar of local events.

If you are 50 years of age or older and would like to become a member, you can sign up by visiting www.huntingtonhospital. org/newsletters, entering your information and checking the 50+ HealthConnection box. If you prefer, you can leave a message on our membership line at (626) 397-3147 or (800) 664-4664 (option 2) and a member of SCN’s staff will be in touch to sign you up by phone. In addition to receiving future SCN publications, you will also get a membership card so you can begin enjoying all of the helpful 50+ member benefits.