Page 24 - Scene Magazine 42-10 October 2017

Local Interest
BY ROY LaFOUNTAIN
Army. Navy. Air Force. Marines. Coast Guard. Merchant Marine.
Men and women who have set aside their time, talent and treasure to defend
this country in times of peace and peril. Those who have served from World War II to the present dangers in the Middle East. To any Veteran reading these words, we at HomeCare Transitions would ask that you please accept our sincere thank you for your service and your sacrifice. It is an honor and privilege to care for the men and women of all branches of service, and their families.
One of the many joys of caring for Veterans and their families, are the stories they tell. Oh, boy! Their stories are, as the old saying goes, “Stories that you just can’t make up.” Some share of the exotic places they’ve visited around the world. Often we’ll hear tales of danger and bravery. Some tell tales of mischief, secure in the knowledge that enough time and distance have passed for them to be safe in the telling. Those are the stories that somehow seem to get funnier with each telling. And again, we are honored that you have shared them with us.
Stories like the one my dad, Francis L. (Roy) LaFountain AOMT3, USN told. He enlisted in the Navy in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II. He was 32 years
Veterans Choice Program
old at the time, but he wanted to serve. His duty was to install and maintain the turret guns on Navy aircraft. He used to say that he was going to, “Make darn sure that none of the weapons he ever worked on jammed or failed” during combat.
My son, Brandon J. LaFountain SSGT, USAF told me of the time he and his crew were flying a missions in Afghanistan. Brandon was a helicopter gunner while serving with the 41st Rescue Squadron out of Moody Air Force Base. He said he had just gotten out of the craft after landing at a remote airstrip, when someone hollered at him to, “ONLY walk on the tarmac! That’s the ONLY area swept for mines.” That got his attention right away!
How about Joseph Unger, father of Thomas Unger, the Co-Owner of HomeCare Transitions. He was serving on the USS Calcaterra (DE-390) as she was steaming toward Japan as part of a potential invasion force of the island. Mr. Unger was a Signalman aboard the Calcaterra. While in route, he received the message that the atomic bomb had been dropped. With receipt of that message, the Calcaterra headed for home.
Sadly for many of our Veterans, those memories are being lost as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are stealing them away at an alarming pace. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are truly the next great epidemic.
At HomeCare Transitions, we see the toll dementia and Alzheimer’s take on our clients and their families. In our continuing
effort to help families cope, HomeCare Transitions are proud to introduce our Dementia Capable Caregivers. Caregivers who have passed a rigorous training course taught by HomeCare Transitions Co- Owner Patricia Slayton, RN, MSN, ANP. Training that includes helping to recognize the different stages of dementia, and what changes each stage may bring. Dementia Capable Caregiver training helps our team to be better able to re-direct behavior and diffuse difficult emotions. And as always, we are there to bring respite to family members as well.
In addition, HomeCare Transitions are now a part of the Veterans Choice Program through the Veterans Administration. If you are already enrolled in VA health care, the Choice Program allows you to receive health care within your community. Using this program does NOT impact your existing VA health care, or any other VA benefit. And, you may request HomeCare Transitions to be your provider.
If you know someone who is struggling with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and would like to learn more about Dementia Capable Caregivers or the Veterans Choice Program, please call HomeCare Transitions at (269) 883-6002, or visit our website, homecaretransitions.net. There is never any cost or obligation when you call. And, if we are not the answer for your needs, we can assist you in finding the help you need.
Again, we extend a heartfelt and sincere thank you to all our Veterans. YOU have made America great!
Co-Owners:
Thomas J. Unger, ACSW Patricia D. Slayton, RN, MSN
5350 Beckley Rd, Suite D
(Side door of Southern Michigan Bank & Trust)
269-883-6002 www.homecaretransitions.net
Dementia Capable Care Housekeeping Aide and Companion Service Transportation Medication Set-Up Supervision Nursing Services All Employees Screened Veterans Choice
& Bonded Program
Home Care is what we do best!
60+ YEARS OF QUALIFIED EXPERIENCE
24 SCENE 4210 I VETERANS ISSUE