RIDGEVIEW HOSPICE: PROVIDING “ULTIMATE” CARE
Larry and Dee Enter of Watertown met while on a blind date.
The problem was, they were on a double date with different people. They began a long-distance relationship with each other while Larry was teaching in Ohio and Dee was teaching in Michigan. Their love grew and they eventually married. They taught together in Cleveland for seven years before moving to Watertown so Larry could take an administrative role in the school district.
Larry and Dee enjoyed the Watertown community so much that they stayed here for 50 years to raise their five children.
After Larry and Dee retired from teaching, they enjoyed time together traveling, growing flowers and taking long walks.
Eventually, Dee’s walks got shorter and more labored, and she experienced limited mobility in her arms when she walked. Her neurologist diagnosed her with Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
Dee lived with Parkinson’s for 20 years, with Larry by her side for comfort and care. But when the level of care became so great, Larry knew he needed help. That’s when he called Ridgeview Hospice.
“We were used to going to Ridgeview for our health care, so it was only natural that we would go to Ridgeview for hospice,” said Larry. The team at Ridgeview Hospice provides many levels of support, from clinical support to music therapy, massage therapy, and visits with the chaplain and social workers.
the music therapy through Ridgeview Hospice was so impactful. Dee would find comfort singing hymns, and her family gathered around her bedside to sing hymns together as she entered her blissful place.
For 13 months, Ridgeview Hospice visited Dee’s home to help with everyday tasks that were becoming harder for Larry to do on his own, like moving Dee from her bed to her wheelchair or helping Dee eat. “The hospice team is there to help with personal care so the family members can really be family members,” said Michelle, one of Larry and Dee’s daughters.
“When they are here for that many months, they become like family,” said Larry. Music always played a prominent role in the Enter household, especially as their kids grew up. This is why
