Delivering smiles at Texas Baptist Children’s Home_71204

Posted: 7/09/04

Delivering smiles at Texas Baptist Children's Home

By Miranda Bradley

Texas Baptist Children's Home & Family Services

ROUND ROCK–Mary Rey-nolds watches her husband, Mac, smell some flowers, fascinated by their texture and shape. Holding the arrangement is a child from the Family Care program at Texas Baptist Children's Home during one of their weekly visits to The Cottages, an Alzheimer's care facility in Round Rock.

“Seeing the kids here puts a smile on his face,” Mrs. Reynolds says of her husband. “He won't remember this tomorrow, but it does him good for the time being.”

Moments like the ones provided by the youth from the children's home are just what patients like Reynolds need, said Kelli Hooten, executive director of The Cottages.

“Stimulation is key,” she said. “If it weren't for volunteers like these and the interaction they provide, the success of the patients to deal with this illness would be diminished quite a bit.”

Aside from the care provided by staff at The Cottages, people living with Alzheimer's need consistent prompting of the senses, she explained. By smell, touch and feel, they are able to sometimes recall childhood memories and connect with the world around them.

“Volunteers create moments of joy,” Hooten said.

Before interacting with Cottages residents, Texas Baptist Children's Home youth must complete an Alzheimer's awareness training program, which is repeated when a new volunteer is added to the mix.

The relationship between the children's home and The Cottages has spanned more than six years.

Susan Lee, TBCH Family Care supervisor, is well known for using props and music during visits to the facility to spark interest.

“I love to see those little light bulbs go off,” she said.

Her tactics work. As soon as the children walk in, armed with a large red ball and fruit, energy levels heighten. When a pianist begins playing music, residents clap and sing along.

“It's so humbling to know they can't remember their name, but they can remember the words to church hymns,” Lee said.

The children volunteering can't help but be affected by Cottages residents.

“It's pretty cool to watch them connect,” said Trevor, a 10-year-old TBCH resident. “I want them to have fun with the time they have left.”

One Cottages resident, a former registered nurse who served on the front lines in World War II, is very special to Travis.

“She is always so excited when we come,” he said. “It's fun to talk to her.”

Many Cottages residents led exciting lives until Alzheimer's robbed them of their memories. Patients have included a judge, a Broadway pianist and a University of Texas coach, none able to recall their glory days.

It's much the same for Reynolds, a former CIA information officer who worked across the country during the Cold War and kept company with people like former President George Bush.

Now, he spends his time with much different companionship. So, today, he will smell flowers as if it were his first time, with a child as his teacher.