By Joe Winter
Catholic Herald correspondent
Volunteer brings joy, help to Alzheimer's unit
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Jerry Madden leans over Alzheimer unit resident Marion Brathol and helps her play a game. Madden has been volunteering at the nursing home since his mother, who lived in the unit, died. (Catholic Herald photo by Joe Winter) |
HAMMOND -- Jerry Madden is so dedicated that when he goes over to help residents of an Alzheimer's unit where he volunteers, he doesn't just walk to their table. He feels compelled to get their faster, so he literally scoots across the floor.
Madden, 66, in 2003 traveled to Wisconsin Dells to accept the volunteer of the year award for the Wisconsin Representatives of Activity Professionals, and now has been nominated for the national honor. Madden, a North Hudson man who took care of his ailing mother at his home for as long as he could, started driving to the American Heritage Care Center in Hammond twice a week when she became a resident, to keep up the contact.
Josephine, like her son a longtime member of St. Patrick Parish, died almost two years ago after living in the center's Alzheimer's unit. "I just kept on going as a volunteer," Madden said.
Wendy Kuckler and Cindy Quilling, the two Alzheimer unit coordinators with whom he works closely, and Dawn Fern, activities director, submitted his name for both awards.
"I like old people, especially when they reach out their arms and give you a hug," said Madden, who often also gives such a farewell to Kuckler and Quilling when he leaves at 2 p.m. after his shift. "It gets you in the heart. It is very rewarding."
Madden, who seven years ago retired from his job with the St. Croix County Highway Department, says there are so many nice people at the care center. Madden also hopes that someday, when he gets older, someone will take this good of care of him, he added.
Madden became acquainted with the care center on Oct. 16, 2000, when he brought his mother there. Madden had taken sole responsibility of caring for "Jo," as he called her, for the previous five years. It was an easier transition for Jo than it was for her son, workers at the care center say.
Madden came every Wednesday and Sunday to visit his mom. "In a very short time, he began to know the residents that lived on the small unit and began to care for them all," wrote Kuckler, Quilling and Fern in their nomination. "While sitting and holding Jo's hand, he would (also) take the hand of anyone else who needed comforting. He got to know their likes, dislikes, interests and emotional needs."
Madden stands attentively in the middle of the unit's social room, and when he sees a need, such as helping someone reposition themselves in a chair, is there to help in just seconds.
Madden has donated a stereo, along with tapes and compact discs of the kind of music to which residents listened in "their time." He has also donated bread machines and mixes, along with butter, peanut butter and jelly, an ice cream maker, a bird bath, soil for planters, and cameras so families can share special moments.
"But the special gift Jerry brings to the unit is his caring, comforting ways, endless smile and the individual attention he provides that everyone needs," the nomination letter states.
Jo passed away Easter morning, 2002, which is fitting because she was a devout Catholic, said Fr. Peter Szleszinski, pastor at St. Patrick. One of the parishioners there, Dorothy Cardarelli, tells the story of when Jo was still living with her son in North Hudson, and the doorbell would ring. "It might be Jesus," she always would say.
Madden, who says that to this day he misses his mother greatly, still spends each Christmas at the center, even though it's his birthday. Madden won't open his own Christmas gifts until later, instead he goes person to person to lend a hand -- but only as needed -- to the residents so they can tear off the wrapping paper.
"He's here to pour the coffee and he knows how they take it. He senses their needs even when it's hard for them to find the words or express what they need," said the nomination letter. "Jerry has shared in the laughter and tears, adopted the newcomers and mourned the departed."
Madden said he enjoys setting the table for residents' meals, cutting their food and even simply watching them go about their day and appreciating their individual mannerisms.
"Like clockwork, Jerry walks through our front doors every Wednesday and Sunday, with a smile on his face," said administrator Laurie Edelman, adding that it is impossible to list every contribution Madden makes to the residents.
"However, of all the things he does, in my view, there is nothing more important than when he sits patiently listening to stories, holds a resident's hand or just visits over coffee," Edelman said.
Madden spends all of his donated time in the Alzheimer's unit, a type of place at which many volunteers are not comfortable working, she said. "Because of his experience with his mother, Jerry has personal knowledge of how to work with residents afflicted with this disease. He has become part of their family, and we are lucky to have a volunteer with so much compassion."
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004