Growing up, Bonnie was always my “Cool Aunt.” She was like a loving, caring mother throughout my childhood and adult years. We traveled, shopped, and listened to music together. Aunt Bonnie even gave me my first set of makeup! Bonnie was an exceptionally cultured woman, being the Dean of Students at Radford University for many years.
The Radford Student Center was named after Bonnie, with the motto “Investing in Lifetimes,” which truly embodies Bonnie’s free spirit, compassion, and genuine interest in and love for others.
Bonnie moved in with us in 2020 upon realizing that she needed more support in her daily life. We were honored and blessed that she chose to live with us. We bonded even more during COVID isolation. We became very busy taking her to appointments and facilitating visits with her Radford Golf Society and many church friends. Over the years, however, we realized that we had less time to take care of our own needs because of her busy personal schedule. We learned about the Respite Care Program at WUMC while attending a Senior Advocate Seminar.
Since enrolling her in the program, we continue to be so appreciative of the joy and love we see provided to the members. When we initially became involved in Respite, we were weary and exhausted from caregiving like many other families. Once she joined the program, we were relieved that Bonnie had somewhere to spend fulfilling time engaging with others and participating in activities, such as puzzles, music and, of course, fellowship over food! Over the past year, we have seen significant improvement in Bonnie’s quality of life, specifically her alertness, speaking, physical stability, and emotional peace about where she is at this time of life.
We have also noticed improvements in our own lives through Bonnie’s participation in the program. We now have time for our own appointments, as well as time to fellowship with those we love. Each Friday, I can spend time alone with my adult daughter, which has been a blessing to both of us. We can go throughout our days without anxiety as we completely trust the care provided by WUMC. We are so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program, not only for Bonnie and the joy she experiences daily but also for our own peace of mind and enrichment.
Each day, Bonnie enjoys her time at Respite, and she thrives on the structure and meaning the program gives her. Through the Respite program, she has been given the gift of entertainment!