Provident Living Center: One Reader's Story – LIVING WELL Magazine

One Reader’s Story

Laura Cornett, Provident Living Center, Collin LIVING WELL Magazine (formerly SENIOR Magazine)

Every 71 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease. An estimated 10 million baby boomers will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. The disease not only affects the patient’s mind, but his or her loved ones. Betty Lundy of McKinney knows all too well what this disease can do to a loved one and to an entire family. Married in 1951, Bettie and her husband Phillip were enjoying their retirement years when she noticed little changes in her husband. “He would say funny things that didn’t make sense, and he would lose things, he just didn’t seem like the same man,” said Bettie.

Doctors confirmed Phillip did indeed have Alzheimer’s and prescribed medication to help manage the disease. While the medication worked for awhile, Bettie and her daughter and son noticed their wonderful husband and father was getting worse. “Phillip started wandering around the house at night and then he would follow me everywhere. He stuck to me like adhesive tape,” recalled Bettie. Bettie soon realized caring for her husband was getting more difficult and she needed to find help for Phillip and for herself. “This type of care is 24 hours a day, every day…and doing it without ever closing your eyes…and one person cannot do it alone,” said Bettie. Bettie soon began searching for the best care facility where she could move her husband. After visiting several facilities that specialize in Alzheimer’s care, Bettie decided on Provident Living Center located on Eldorado Parkway in McKinney.

The 36-room living center was carefully designed with input from some of the country’s best environmental specialists and experts on Alzheimer’s care. Special features are in place to ensure the residents do not stray, yet there is plenty of space both inside and outside the facility where residents are free to safely walk. The center is actually built around a beautiful courtyard, which allows residents and their visitors to walk continuously without running into dead-end hallways. Color is also used throughout the facility to enhance both beauty and function. Halls and doors are painted different colors to provide a sense of orientation. Even the bedroom doors are painted different colors, making it easier for residents to find his or her room.

A physician, experienced with geriatric patients, is always on call and every staff member at Provident Living Centers has received professional training in how to interact appropriately with each resident. Staff members are taught how to understand the disease process and how to care for each resident with that special kindness and personal attention. It was that kindness and attention to detail that caught Bettie’s eye. “Everyone was so kind and so sweet to Phillip,” Bettie recalled. Bettie said she knew that moving her husband to Provident Living Centers was the right thing to do. It was here Phillip could receive 24 hour care in a loving environment where he was safe. “I would visit him throughout the week, and I didn’t have to worry anymore if he was being cared for. I knew people here loved him and took great care of his everyday needs,” said Bettie.

According to Pam Hobbs, Administrator at Provident Living Centers, it is that special, loving relationship between the staff and patients that cause so many people to select this facility for their loved ones. “The one thing people always tell me they love about Provident and the reason they choose this facility is because of the interaction between the patient and all the employees, it is like a family,” said Hobbs. Family involvement is always encouraged at Provident Living Centers. There are many opportunities for family members of the residents to participate in holiday parties and the National Alzheimer’s Memory Walk. “It’s just a people place,” said Bettie. “I am so glad it was here to help me and my husband Phillip at a time when we needed help the most.”

Bettie’s husband, her best friend, passed away in April of 2007, but Bettie still visits the facility and loves to catch up with all the many friends that she and her husband Phillip made during his years at Provident Living Centers.

If you would like more information about this facility or would like to take a tour, please contact Pam Hobbs at 972-569-8660. Provident Living Centers is located at 1601 West Eldorado Parkway in McKinney, Texas.