Arms Around Family Caregivers is proud to present Lisa Gufford with the 2011 Pillar of Strength Award. Lisa cares for her father-in-law, Bob in her Jacksonville home. After Bob’s wife passed away, he became very depressed and suffered several strokes, one of them at her memorial service. When Lisa and her husband Wade saw Bob’s difficulty with mobility and depression, the decided to move him into their home. Lisa works 60-70 hours a week while providing healthy meals and assistance to Bob. She and Wade have made their home more handicapped accessible for Bob to move around more easily. Read Lisa’s whole story in her nomination.
We had a wonderful time coordinating the Pillar of Strength Award Ceremony with Lisa and her family. Lisa is kind hearted and was very grateful to receive this award. The award, presented by SYNERGY HomeCare of Jacksonville owner Robert Solomon, was given on November 30, 2011.
Lisa’s dedication to Bob is touching. “Everything we try to do is with Daddy in mind”, she says. “I couldn’t imagine anyone else taking care of my dad.”
Respite for Lisa
Since Lisa balances a demanding job and the care of her family, she will receive 40 hours of respite care, courtesy of SYNERGY HomeCare. She will also receive a medical alarm system in her home for 1 year, which will get Bob medical help in case of an emergency like a fall.
The Nomination
My name is Lisa Gufford, I live in Jacksonville, FL. On August 9th, 2011, I received a 911 call from my father-in-law, he found my mother-in-law on this morning, she had a stroke sometime the previous evening and passed away. Dad is 82 years old and in very poor health. He and mom had been married for 47 years and loved each other dearly. When my husband and I arrived moments after we received the call, dad was in a state of shock and crying. He has Peripheral neuropathy, high blood pressure, and has diabetes. It took over 6 hours for the coroner to arrive and take mom away. We took dad home with us that evening. He starting having TIA’s – this went on for about a week and at the service for mom, dad had a stroke. Dad’s life will never be the same, he lost his wife, pulled from his home and all that was familiar and now he is in rehab for the stroke. Having to learn how to speak, wash, eat and walk again. After 3-weeks, they sent him home, home now is with my husband and I. He has no control over his bladder, so we have him in depends. He is making great progress and has come to terms with his new life. Or so I thought, I found a journal that dad started a couple of days ago. After every entry, he writes: “Now I lay me down to sleep, dear lord please don’t let me wake, AMEN”. My heart hurts so bad for him. I have been married to his son for almost 30 years and I cannot breath something when he is not around, I cannot really imagine what daddy is going through. He says to me he has a hole in his heart, I can only try to help him fill that void. Never being a caregiver, I am learning to take care of him one day at a time. Dad has a food addition and will eat all day every day. He tends to lose his balance often. We have handicapped our home to best of our ability and will find a way to make this work. I WILL NOT PUT HIM IN A HOME except mine! I work 60-70 hours a week and take care of my household, my husband (he is sick as well) and now daddy. I am making sure they have 3 healthy meals a day, make sure dad takes his medication on time three times a day, his therapy, doctor’s appointments, bathing etc… My husband I love so much, but dad is the love of my life. I have gained new respect for caregivers. Well this is my story, and my advice for anyone going through a situation like this is, Take Care of the ones you love! My wish is that daddy finds some peace in his heart and finds a reason to keep a positive outlook on the rest of his live. I do love him so…
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