Memory Matters Utah
2022-10-15T22:53:02.991Z
About a year ago, I began to look for a place where my Dad of 86, Bill Cunningham, could go and enjoy the sociability of others. With stage 4 dementia, I found myself with a bigger task than anticipated. I started out with the senior citizen community centers in St. George. The first one we went to offered bridge games (too much concentration for Dad), a book reading club (he gave up reading the year before), and piano lessons (I was sure would be too difficult).
As I scrolled down the community center program, I came across Ukelele Lessons (Ukelele provided). We scheduled this class and I accompanied him. I knew within the first fifteen minutes that he could not follow the instruction. Although, he began telling the group how the ukelele was invented and those who were famous for playing it. I noticed it annoyed some of the other participants, as they were dying to play their ukeleles sitting in front of them. I cut this class short, thanked everyone, and helped my Dad to the car. Feeling defeated and not knowing where he could spend his days with joy, warmth, and laughter without being put into assisted living.
With my 85-year-old mother as his primary caretaker, he was still being well taken care of in his own home. The following Monday morning, I hit the phones once more. I called every link in St. George that made sense to me and was referred out at least four or five times. One of those phone numbers was a small Non-Profit organization here in the community for seniors with dementia, called Memory Matters. This little place saved my Dad's life.
Upon our first trial visit day, he was greeted by a caring staff and wonderful volunteers. He came in at 10 in the morning to bright smiles and a warm breakfast. He enjoyed his meals with many to his left, to his right, and in front of him. There was always laughter. Throughout the day, arts and crafts were introduced with all kinds of assistance for cut-outs and glue, but again it was all about consistent care and laughter. Lunchtime was always served with love by Susie in the kitchen. The days that the volunteers came to play music were my Dad's favorite. Piano players came, guitars came, and even an incredible Harpist. Beach balls were thrown about the music room, hand coordination games were played, and stories were told. When 3 o'clock arrived every day to go home, my dad couldn't wait for the following day at 10 am. He had found his purpose at 86.
To be with those at this stage of their lives and to reminisce on their lives without criticism and judgment. The daily faces he saw became his family and friends. On the days that Memory Matters was closed, (Fri-Sunday), He would doubt us when we would tell him, "The club is closed today, Dad". Those three days were long for him.
Memory Matters is a very small and intimate group of Senior Citizens that find the community Senior Centers a bit too fast pace. No pickleball for these seniors, and no book club either. But man, they all craved chatter, laughter, and the warmth of other human beings that Memory Matters provided. I could not be more grateful to everyone at Memory Matters for the kindness and patience and love that I saw displayed for my Dad every day over the last year.
Our family will be forever grateful for giving my Dad a place that lit up his life during a stage of life that could have been dark and depressing. If you are looking for a wonderful Non-Profit to contribute to, I would highly recommend Memory Matters and its wonderful founder, LeAnn. This little club survives on very little but gave so much to my father, it's indescribable.
My father Bill Cunningham passed away on October 1st, 2022. He will be forever missed and I know that he deeply misses Memory Matters and everyone that he loved there so dearly.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, Rainy Hersh.