Floyd Lacey

by Penny Leone

“What’s that animal under the bed?” My father, Floyd Lacey, asked my mother the same question numerous times within a few moments. Each time, my mother responded patiently, “There is nothing under the bed.” Finally, out of frustration or inspiration, my mother got down on her knees, peered under the bed, and replied, “It’s a dust bunny.” This response pleased and satisfied Dad.

My dad’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease came in 1995 and he died in 1999. For four years our family watched him go from an independent, active man who loved to fix things, travel, do crossword puzzles, and read the newspaper to a man who did not recognize us or engage in any activity besides being in a fetal position in bed.

For a while, his sense of humor and life-long habit of lovingly teasing masked his symptoms. Being a retired Illinois farmer, he watched the weather and worked on projects around the house. As the disease progressed he had less and less success with the projects. Eventually, he was given a paintbrush and paint can with water in it and enjoyed “painting the house” which occupied him and gave him satisfaction.

As I look back, I felt as if I had no idea how to help him or my family.

There were no resources at the time for a place he could be with others with mild to moderate dementia.

There was no time that it was safe for my mother or our family to take a break from his care.

There was no place where we could join with others who were caregiving for a loved one with dementia.

It felt lonely and scary for him, my mother, and our family to travel this unknown road. The hope of tomorrow is that a cure will be found for those with dementia. In the meantime, Georgetown, Texas needs an adult day center. The Center will be for those who have dementia and their families now as well as those families with loved ones who will develop dementia in the future.

Having a place of support and scientific-based interventions for my Dad's dementia to delay the onset of more severe symptoms as well as a place for us to learn, to talk, to be encouraged by others who were journeying the same road would have made a difference as remarkable as night and day.