My father was an avid goal setter and, by his loving and persistent example, so am I. As I was pondering new year’s resolutions, I read my journals and notes from the goals I set in years past. Each and every year, since early adulthood, I have maintained a consistent pattern of evaluating intentions and working on goals which have led me directly to this time and place in my life where I am working with the Lynden Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization, supporting Alzheimer’s caregivers.

Accomplished shortly after high school, my first related goal was to “help people.” This ambition resulted in a cherished five-year experience working as a licensed practical nurse. The first time I paid attention to the word “gerontology” was during my geriatric clinical rotations. I wasn’t sure how I felt, then, about working with “older people.” I only knew that my mother was taking care of both of my grandmothers in our home, Willy Wonka style. I could see she was exhausted, and yet I knew she wouldn’t have it any other way. My mother was my first example of devoted caregiving.

During my young adult years, I aimed to complete my bachelors degree in Family Studies, which I did with two children under foot. Intrigued with human development and family lifestyles, I narrowed my focus to “enhancing family lifestyles” in my final capstone paper. I remember as my graduation procession line exited the hall, I caught a glimpse of my two young daughters in the back of the room enthusiastically clapping their hands with tears in their eyes. They recognized that their mom had accomplished a large goal.

After focusing 15 years on raising a family, I found myself abruptly thrown into the workforce and the new role of supporting myself and my children. Handed a miracle, I accepted a “temporary” job I hoped would get us through. I was given the opportunity to care for Irene, a gorgeous, classy, 85-year-old role model among women and the Jewish community. Irene’s devoted son, Marty, became my caregiving mentor and partner. Together, we studied Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and best practices. As Irene’s primary care coordinator, I was honored to witness a life well-lived, and be a part of making Irene’s final seven years a fulfilling part of her life. “Serving seniors” became my new passion.

While caring for Irene, I completed a graduate certificate in gerontology. My program completion became invaluable in creating Irene’s advanced care-team, and through my gerontology practicum at Jewish Family Service, I gained crucial skills in supporting seniors in the community. I learned about the bigger picture and caregiver burnout. So many family caregivers are exhausted and overwhelmed, and don’t have the means or knowledge to find available resources. My pool of heroes grew tremendously as I worked with professors and advisors within the University of Utah Gerontology program and with the director and senior care coordinator at Jewish Family Service. I refined my goal to “supporting caregivers.”

Currently, I’m honored to be part of the Lynden Legacy Foundation. Dr. Marsden Blanch, the founder of our organization, has shown me yet another exceptional example by patiently and proactively caring for his wife, Lynette, and many others, with Alzheimer’s disease for over eleven years. I believe this foundation will help many, many people thrust into the role of caregiver. I’m thrilled to focus on our caregiver pool and respite award program and to work with our wonderful and altruistic foundation director, Katie, as well as our energetic and compassionate event coordinator, Kim. We are passionate about supporting caregivers! Together our goal is “to provide respite care, connect families with resources, and promote self care.