Mobile Infirmary’s E.A. Roberts Alzheimer’s Center is managed by Laura Harrington.  She is a Board Certified Gerontolgical Nurse.  Aside from her very capable credentials, she is one of the nicest people I know.  She has a knack for making people feel valued and cared for.  I always feel better just being in her presence.  I have seen her show such care and concern for the weary caregiver.  If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease, you may want to visit the E.A.Roberts Alzheimer’s Center, see the facility and learn about their Adult Day Care program.  Who knows, you may get to meet Laura.  You and your loved one will be glad you did.

You are a purple angel, Laura, for all the years and care you’ve given to helping those with Alzheimer’s Disease and their loved ones.

I have to report what a great help our hospice nurse is to my mother’s care.  My mother has been experiencing problematic health problems for several months now.  When the assisted living nurse brought it to my attention, we went to see Momma’s general practitioner.  That visit resulted in a few changes but the problem persisted.  We next consulted the hospice nurse, Candice,  who began to diligently research what the problem might be.  She checked for a bacterial infection which turned out negative. She wrote orders and consulted with the doctor at the weekly team meeting whether to discontinue a monthly preventative order that she takes to prevent recurring infections.  They decided to keep that in place and see if the new order solves the problem.  So far, it seems to be working.  I am so thankful that we have help in solving health problems that my mother can’t express with words.  You get a gold star, Candice, for making such a difference in  both of our lives.

I’ve had the privilege to work alongside Julie McGee lately and she is a game changer.  She knows her field of expertise and wields a powerful sword.  Yet, she carries herself with grace and has a calm presence.  You’d never know that she has a resume 4 pages long full of impressive accomplishments.

Julie has been diligently working for the betterment of Mobile residents since 1979.  Housed in the GM&O building downtown, she currently reigns as Area Agency on Aging Director for the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission.Under her leadership for the last 16 years, she has required excellence from her staff, which recently earned them an award given by the National Council on Aging to only three projects in the nation.  The benefits of this award will help the elderly and disabled of Alabama to achieve more economic security, move out of poverty, and be able to successfully remain in their own homes and live independently. This is just one of the many accomplishments that her local organization has achieved.

I’m writing this because Julie took the time to listen to a caregiver (me) who saw an unmet need in the community, organized a meeting of professionals in the dementia field to address that need and invited me along as well.  As a result, we have formed the Alzheimer and Dementia Coalition of South Alabama and created a helpline as a community resource for Alzheimer and dementia information.  What a privilege to come along and see how she gets things done.  You are the first to get a gold star, Julie McGee.  Thanks for making a difference.