Continuing Care at Oakwood Common Helps Local Couple Overcome Challenges of Dementia

DEARBORN, MI--(Marketwired - Apr 29, 2013) - The 2013 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figure report published by the Alzheimer's Association revealed that the costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias will soar from an estimated $203 billion this year to a projected $1.2 trillion per year by 2050, and that one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia.

In addition to the cost of care, other challenges include high emotional and physical stress on caregivers who are responsible for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia.

The facts don't hit home until you experience these challenges firsthand like Dearborn residents Everett "Ed" Lore and his wife Margaret, who have been married more than 65 years.

Always an active couple, the Lores raised two sons and two daughters who attended school in Dearborn. The couple enjoyed dancing, music, travel and golf. While Ed worked in sales, Marge taught baton twirling to her children and others. When Marge was in her 50s, she went back to college to earn an associates degree from Madonna University and worked as a social worker for the state of Michigan for 15 years before retiring. 

When Lore's wife Margaret, affectionately called Marge, was diagnosed with dementia, he cared for her in their Dearborn home for almost six years before moving to Oakwood Common in 2011.

"I hired workers to come in and help her while I did the shopping, yard work and cooking," said Lore, who suffered two strokes before they made the move to Oakwood Common.

Three of the Lore's four children live out of state, and it was their Michigan daughter Mary J. Lore who helped them find a new home that could meet the needs of both parents. The answer was close by.

"After my dad's third stroke, I helped him create the highest vision for his life, and the love of his life, my mom. I created a spreadsheet that listed all that was important to him and researched a variety of communities," said Mary J. Lore, a CPA and founder of Managing Thought, LLC. "I was delighted to find that Oakwood Common fulfilled everything on their list. Two years ago, they were suffering. Today, they are happy, healthy, and enjoying their time together."

Oakwood Common is a continuing care community which offers all levels of care from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing, as well as specialized care for residents with Alzheimer's and dementia. 

With flexible payment options available, Oakwood Common residents who select the continuing care option pay a 100% refundable upfront entrance fee along with monthly rent. This ensures that they will continue to receive care even if their savings run out.

"It's peace of mind for us and for our children," said Lore. While Marge now lives in Oakwood Court Terrace, which gives personalized care to residents with dementia, Everett has his own independent living apartment within easy walking distance of his wife.

"I'm just happy to see that she's happy," said Lore, who visits her daily and recalls that she was probably lonely when they were still in their home. "She's very social and a natural born mother who loves to comfort other people. She's very cheerful."

When there's a movie Lore wants to see in the campus theater, he enjoys taking his wife. He also has time to pursue his own interests of painting and playing guitar.

A U.S. Army veteran who served in both the European and Pacific theaters during World War II, Lore also has a lot of stories to tell and a rapid fire response about how he first met his wife, "I met her in St. Louis the day after I got home (from service)."

About Oakwood Common
Oakwood Common offers one and two bedroom apartments located at 16351 Rotunda Drive, within a beautiful 29-acre retirement community that includes exquisite landscaping, nature trails and scenic views along the historic Rouge River Gateway in Dearborn. Oakwood Common apartments, available with flexible payment options, offer exceptional amenities for independent living and can be readily customized. Assisted living and a comprehensive rehabilitation and skilled nursing center are also available for those with additional needs. For more information and to arrange tours, call 800-642-4663 or visit www.OakwoodCommon.org.