Daughter | Business Owner | Caregiver

When Merry Reinis’ almost 90-year-old parents had a major car accident in 2013, she closed her hospitality purchasing business and stepped up to take care of both of her parents.  When her dad passed away 9 months later, she moved in with her mom, who had been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s based dementia, to enable her to stay in her home and provide care for her.

Discovering your own humanity

She tells us, “Mom is 95, the disease has progressed, and it is important to me that she have the best quality of life.  She goes to watercolor classes, has her hair and nails done, goes to movies, museums and out to restaurants.” Merry notes, “Nobody trains you for this. It is the hardest job I’ve ever had — heartbreaking, exhausting, frustrating, uplifting and gratifying.  In the final analysis, when it’s all said and done, I would do it all over again. No regrets. It has made me realize that I am the human being I had always hoped I would be.”

Our very first honored caregiver! Merry Reinis (right) and her mother Audrey.

Every day, family caregivers do a herculean job in meeting the needs of their loved ones. We offer our gratitude and a little bit of recognition for all that they do. Are you a caregiver? Do you know someone who is? Please get in touch with us at caring@r2endalz.org and we may feature your story on our Facebook page.