Imagine feeling off, feeling as if you have forgotten something. Knowing that you should know where to go, what to do, who is around you and why things are happening…but you don’t. Imagine knowing that something is wrong, but not being able to put your finger on just what. Imagine looking in a loved one’s eyes and seeing their pity, because you can’t remember their name.
When you look at someone with dementia, they seem the same as everyone else. At first, they comb their hair the same, drive their car the same and even do their checkbook the same, but slowly this disease steals their ability to recognize traffic, to calculate numbers in their head or even on a calculator and their desire to look their best.
In some cases, this disease ‘pickpockets’ the memories that are held most dear, but leaves behind the traumas and insecurities of life. It may choose to leave their traits of laughter and social grace, but ‘shoplifts’ judgment and personality, leaving those they loved feeling mugged and alone, but still in the physical midst of a beloved stranger.
Dementia does not discriminate in how it burglarizes the individual mind or our community as a whole. It affects grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, spouses, grandchildren, friends, neighbors and the list goes on. Currently 1 in 3 people know someone with memory loss. It is not a matter of who has been stolen from, but how many times this violation has occurred to someone they love.
A caregiver for someone with memory loss can easily feel victimized by this disease. They wonder why me? Why them? Why now? But just as with all adversity it is how we come together to address it that helps us overcome. Dementia is not a thief we can overpower on our own. It is a disease that demands that we come together to fight. To battle for those memories which are not lost because of age, but because a disease named dementia steals them from us and those we love.
Join Team Azura Memory Care as we participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s throughout Wisconsin. The goal of the Walk is to raise money to help support the educational and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. If you are unable join us, please consider making a donation at www.alz.org/walk. With your help we can put this thief behind bars and End Alzheimer’s.
My father has been here only a little over 2 months. The positive change in him has been DRAMATIC! I would HIGHLY recommend Azura........ I would give it 10 stars if they allowed it! This is the premier facility for any family member with cognitive issues! They do treat residents like family, believe it!
Review posted by Stephen Diedrich
The staff at Oak Creek are all fabulous! It takes special people to care for our loved ones. If has been a trying year for all and the staff at oak creek get a shout out for their kindness and compassion they give to my mom and the others. They have all gone above and beyond to make things seem as normal as possible for my mom! All of the staff have been so helpful and kind! They are all fabulous!!
Review posted by Mary Kubacki
"We want to thank you for the loving special care you took of our mother, Diane. It was truly mom's home and you all became part of our family. Everything was home for her....from the beautiful rooms, large sunny windows all around, good food made with love, fun and personal activities from people who really loved our mom. We would highly recommend your facility to anyone. The staff from the director, to the doctor, to the nurse, to the caregivers and the maintenance man were all extremely helpful, caring, loving and professional. There are not enough words to say how much we appreciate all of you. Your exceptional care, kindness, and love were beyond anything we could have imagined. You were part of our family, and we will miss you." - Gail Sommers and Deborah Guse
Review posted by Gail Sommers & Deborah Guse
Just moved my sister-in-law to Azura Stoughton on February 12th. I feel like I’ve found a little piece of dementia heaven. The staff has gone way beyond my expectations to meet her needs and take time to know her. Anyone who has dementia deserves the TLC they receive at Azura. I’m so impressed.
Review posted by Gail Aaroen
Thank you to the Azura Memory Care team, Sheboygan location for the amazing, loving care they provided my dad. They truly loved and cared for my dad as if he was their own. It is such a warm, loving, family environment I only wish we would have moved my dad there years earlier!
Review posted by Patti Bunch
Review posted by Ron Paxson
I have enjoyed working with patients at Azura Care as a Physical Therapist Assistant. The staff has been very helpful in sharing important information about the patients to make their therapy sessions as productive as possible. They are open to learning techniques to help keep patients safe and improve their ability to perform daily tasks with less assistance. Their interactions with patients show caring and compassion with a focus on the needs of each individual to enjoy the best quality of life possible.
Review posted by Barb Eisenberg
The journey of caregiving for my Aunt started over 4 years ago. It has been a very long difficult journey. It is hard to watch and frustrating to watch a loved one decline, as well as for them to live the decline. My Aunt found her final peace at Azura Memory Care in Sheboygan. It was not only her peace but mine as well. I no longer had to worry about her care as I could see that she was loved by her Azura family. She passed away on June 21 and they knew how important that it was for me to be there, but I also found peace that if I was not there, she was with family that loved her. No words can express the appreciation for the care, compassion and love that they have for all their residents. God has opened many doors through my journey and the doors at Azura were truly a gift from God. This family made a difference in a long journey. I will always have them in my thoughts and prayers. They are where and doing what they are meant to do!