Personalized Care Leaves a Lasting Impression
Judy Crabb made a special gift to honor her late husband, Milton. Her heartfelt donation is designated for Day Program scholarships, a service that helped Milton and Judy when they were at their most vulnerable
Judy Crabb found herself in need of help when her husband Milton—the love of her life—was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. "You get the news, and it's devastating," says Judy, a retired Director of Spiritual Care at Adventist Health St. Helena.
Having been professionally involved with our organization since the 1980s, Judy turned to our Day Program and joined a support group specifically for caregivers of partners with early-stage Alzheimer's. As Milton's disease advanced, Judy joined another support group for caregivers of partners with more advanced Alzheimer's and Milton started attending the Day Program on a regular basis.
"It was phenomenal," Judy says. "They ask all kinds of interview questions about your person—what they like and don't like, their food preferences, what activities they most enjoy. They provide transportation. There is a cost, but there are also scholarships. Milton absolutely loved it."
When Milton's health rapidly declined, he transitioned to the hospice program and was assigned a care team which Judy found invaluable. "You have access to them 24/7," Judy explains. "They will always get someone for you. A caregiver, a nurse, someone on your hospice team—it doesn't matter. They will come."
After Milton's passing, Judy attended our grief support groups. As a hospital chaplain, Judy is well-versed in the importance of grief counseling, and says the intimately small grief support groups were integral to her healing.
But the most touching moment for Judy occurred the afternoon she dropped in at Day Program unannounced. Two employees—Jill and Karen—who had known Milton well dropped everything to sit with Judy and listen.
As a result of her experience, Judy has made changes to her estate plan and named Providence Community Health Foundation Napa Valley as one the beneficiaries of her IRA. This special gift, made in memory of Milton, is designated for Day Program scholarships so that others have access to the phenomenal and personalized care that Milton received.
Like Judy , you can give a special gift in memory of a loved one. For more information, contact Jennifer McConnehey, CFRE at 707-254-4166 or jennifer.mcconnehey1@providence.org.