Caregiving: a long-term commitment that comes with watching someone you love age with a disease known to change the person you once knew, all while you juggle various roles and responsibilities to make sure they are still being provided for.
Some days, it feels like the world’s weight is falling on your shoulders.
Oakwood Creative Care understands how full your plate is, and that is why we’re here – to ease some of the burdens for you and provide you with the tools, resources, and support needed to ensure you and your loved one live a life full of meaning and purpose.
You need not walk this journey alone, and even during some of the hardest trials, there is still joy to be found in caregiving.
Let us help you find it.
When dementia enters a family’s life, it often brings a wave of uncertainty, isolation, and questions without easy answers. For Leah, the journey to understand and support her husband’s rare and complex diagnosis felt overwhelming—until she discovered Oakwood Creative Care. What began as a simple support group connection became a life-changing turning point.
In her own heartfelt words, Leah shares how Oakwood’s programs, people, and unwavering compassion helped her move from confusion to clarity, and from fear to a life full of meaningful moments and rediscovered joy.
Leah’s Journey to Oakwood Creative Care…
I first learned about Oakwood Creative Care through the Barrow Outreach Program and their Zoom Memory Cafe support group.
We had been struggling with obtaining a diagnosis since 2019. Finally, in October of 2022, we were given an accurate diagnosis at Barrow Neurological Institute, and I was struggling to learn as much as I could to help my husband.
I was overwhelmed with the diagnosis and was unsure of what resources would be helpful. His disease presentation, according to his neurologist at Barrow, is unusual, and his diagnosis is a complex combination of a behavioral form of Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD) and a rare form of Behavioral Alzheimer’s. I was struggling to understand his disease and how to best care for him.
Oakwood has made a tremendous difference in our world. I am so grateful for the day in May of 2023 that I learned about the Oakwood Creative Care Day Centers, and more importantly, I enrolled in the COPE program that is offered at The Hub.
“Life-Changing Ideas, Skills, and Techniques”
Their amazing occupational therapist taught me life-changing ideas, skills, and techniques that transformed our lives! Her guidance resulted in a much higher quality of life for both of us. I learned so much about my husband’s disease and specific tools to help create a more meaningful experience for him.
In addition to the COPE program, I have benefited from the outstanding programs at The Hub, including the Dementia Experience class, other educational presentations, and the many wonderful engagement parties that we both can enjoy.
My husband is also now thriving at the East Mesa Day Club and looks forward to going 5 days a week.
Additionally, we are participating in the GUIDE model through The Hub, and it has been invaluable. I treasure the support of my GUIDE leader and her amazing encouragement and advice.
I honestly do not believe we could have found the JOY that is now a part of our lives without the help of Oakwood. They have truly played a huge role in our ability to live our best lives with dementia. It is such a blessing!
“Why I Call Oakwood Creative Care HOME”
The most outstanding aspect of Oakwood is the dynamic staff of caring, knowledgeable, kind, compassionate, and dedicated people who clearly put their hearts into their jobs. I can not emphasize this point enough. We have encountered multiple amazing people in our two-plus years of working with Oakwood, and every single person has met the highest standard of excellence. Each and every staff member has exceeded my expectations way above and beyond anything I could have imagined!
I think most people think of home as a place of comfort, safety, support, and encouragement. It is clearly a definition of why I call Oakwood HOME. I would encourage everyone to ask for help from all the services at Oakwood. I have no doubt it will be an excellent experience for them and their loved ones.
When I count my blessings, I definitely include Oakwood and all the wonderful people who make it the amazing place that it is.
We're Here For You
The impacts of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other age-related issues affect the entire family. Oakwood Creative Care provides services, education, and support to help you ensure you never have to navigate through this journey alone.
