The reality is, being a caregiver is hard. Choosing to be a caregiver is a commitment that can last many years and the dedication that many caregivers extend to their loved ones can be draining. This is not one of those stories.
Louisiana natives, Sid and Nancy Springer, are high school sweethearts who married two months after graduation. They have been blessed with four beautiful daughters, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, but life has thrown them a few challenges along the way.
Over the years, Nancy has endured three bouts of cancer, seven stents in her heart, a quadruple bypass, a pacemaker, and an aortic valve replacement. Through all the ups and downs, Sid has been Nancy’s devoted caregiver, and he subscribes to the philosophy of ‘Not because I have to but because I get to!’
Four years ago, Nancy was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a disease that affects chemicals in the brain and can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood. Sid once again stepped up and became Nancy’s full-time caregiver. After becoming familiar with the local caregiving networks and taking a caregiving training, Sid found himself with a new opportunity – to train others to be caregivers. But as a full-time caregiver, he knew he wouldn’t be able to find the time to do both.
In late 2016, at a caregiving event in Longmont, Sid learned about a new program called TRU PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) which coordinates and provides all needed preventive, primary, acute, and long-term care services so that older individuals can continue living safely in their community. The program even includes transportation to and from their Lafayette facility – provided by Via.
Today, Nancy uses Via to get to TRU PACE three times a week which allows Sid the freedom to pursue his passion for helping others learn to become caregivers. “Via has been great, and I wouldn’t be able to do what I love without Via or TRU PACE.”
To learn more about TRU’s PACE program, visit pace.trucare.org or call an Enrollment Specialist at 303-665-0115.