"Are you here to take me home?" Those were some of the most heartbreaking words I've ever heard spoken to me. I still tear up when I think about them.

Several years ago, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. There are many types of Parkinson's - most people are aware of the type Michael J. Fox suffers from. He suffers tremors and uncontrollable movements. My dad had more control over his limbs but less over his mind. By the time he passed away, he was in the late stages of dementia.

My mother, being the strong woman that she is, kept my father home with her for over ten years. They both always hoped that researchers would find a cure to the disease or at least some long-term treatment. He had world-class doctors and insurance that provided him with the best treatment available but the damage was irreversible.

My father was 6'5" while my mom is only 5'4". When he began hallucinating, wandering off and forgetting who he was, we all knew it was time to look at other options. With a retirement pension on the line, my mom couldn't stop working to stay home with him and with budding families, my siblings and I couldn't afford to quit work either. We opted to put him in a nursing home.

We surveyed them all and chose the one we thought was best. Due to insurance regulations, we weren't allowed to bring him home at night. Within the few weeks he stayed, his well-being and mental capacity diminished. He contracted pneumonia and passed away at home within a few months time. I remember visiting him and he asked with joyful tears in his eyes, "Are you here to take me home?" Imagine the ill feeling in my stomach when I had to tell him, "no."

Had there been an option for us where he lived like Oasis Adult Day Care, my father may not have wanted to come home. (I hear the food is restaurant-quality and catered in daily!) Had he asked, I would have been able to tell him, "Yep, let's go!" Oasis now offers Adult Day Care specializing in dementia patients. Along with the Adult Day Care, there are also short-term and long-term options like Respite Care and Assisted Living.

Oasis is Evansville area's only licensed assisted living and adult day care community devoted exclusively to families confronted with memory loss health challenges. Whether for a few hours or a full ten-hour day, Oasis’ affordable adult day care services offer guests individualized memory care and activities designed to keep them engaged while at this specialized community:

• Individual and group activities
• Restaurant-style meals and daily snacks
• Memory care and wellness services delivered by our specialized day care team
• Registered nursing staff that provides medications and medication reminders
• Optional transportation to and from Oasis available for an additional fee
• Day care services are available for up to ten hours per day, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Evening and weekend care options are available by prior reservation.  Oasis Dementia Care is a member of the Indiana Association of Adult Day Services.

The facility was actually opened by a member of the Evansville community who lost a dear friend to Alzheimer's and watched him as he faded slowly into the the shell of dementia. I am so happy to hear that Oasis Dementia Care is now available to people who are suffering from terrible diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Join Oasis this Saturday at 10 AM for their monthly Dementia Seminar, and receive a tour and even gift certificates for adult free day care attend. For details, click HERE.

For more information visit Oasis Dementia Care on the web at /www.oasisdementiacare.com or contact them at 4301 Washington Ave. | Evansville, IN 47714 | t. 812.303.3310

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