In November 1979, Dr. Wallace Mayo was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Mrs. Jean K. Mayo (Dr. Mayo's wife) found there was no support group available for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. By 1981, she had talked to several people who were involved with Alzheimer's patients. Her brother encouraged to start a support group so she found an organization willing to help take telephone calls and mail reminders for meetings.
On August 19, 1981 a full-page article in the Pensacola News Journal told about a couple of local men who had recently died of Alzheimer's but did not give their names. Another article included mention of a meeting for those who were interested in learning more about this affliction. Sixty-four people showed up for the meeting.
In the following years, attendance averaged at 24 during these monthly meetings. A lot of the time there would be three or four present whose loved one had just been diagnosed. Those attending the meetings would be caregivers, but there were also social workers, nurses, home health care workers, Directors of Nursing and more. Everyone was looking together for understanding.
In the early days any way we could get information to the general public we would try. Petitions were gathered and state legislators were written for help in providing better Alzheimer's care and funding for Alzheimer's programs. A push was made for better Living Wills.
Seminars/workshops have been offered over the years on a wide variety of issues for Alzheimer's such as:
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Legal Issues
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Facing Financial Adjustments
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Advanced Directives
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Grief, Stress, and Coping Strategies
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Humor
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Roll Reversal
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Nutrition/Swallowing
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Occupation Therapists - Lifting and Transferring
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Incontinence
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Medication Updates
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Communication (with doctors, Alzheimer's persons, nursing home staff)
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Ombudsman
A Saturday Respite Care Program was set up at The Oaks in November 1984. It did not take long to see that the need was not great on Saturday because the people who needed respite were employed during the week and generally had Saturdays off to care for their loved ones. The Escambia County Council on Aging made room in their weekly Day Care Program for two very early stage Alzheimer's people during the week. When Alzheimer's Disease Initiative (ADI) started funding respite care, it was to be given only to those areas where the Memory Disorder Clinics were located. ADI was lobbied for money to be given to Escambia County since a day care program was already in place. As good as it was to have this respite program in place and funded by the state through the Council on Aging, they could take no more than three to five per week. Funding was available for more staff but space was not available. The Alzheimer's Support Group committed funds for more space.
On June 8, 1989 a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the new Alzheimer's Day Care Center. The new building enabled the Council on Aging to care for twenty-two (22) Alzheimer's people rather than three or four.
The Autopsy and Research Program (Brain Bank) was started in 1984. This program provided families with a diagnosis and also helped with research on Alzheimer's Disease.
In 1990, the Alzheimer's Support Group initiated the Memory Impairment Bracelet Program and worked with the Council on Aging with this program.
In 1996, Alzheimer's Support Group became incorporated and changed its name to Alzheimer's Family Services, Inc.
In 1996, ADI completed work on a training manual and Alzheimer's Family Services, Inc. contributed money towards the printing.
At this time, our newsletter The Caring Times goes out to over 1,800 people monthly. There are 14 support groups that meet monthly and serve Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties in Florida, and Escambia county, Alabama.
Mrs. Jean K. Mayo died unexpectantly on June 9, 1999. However, her efforts to assist families of Alzheimer's patients continues through her legacy--Alzheimer's Family Services, Inc.
Alzheimer's Family Services, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization under IRS Code 501(C)(3). Gifts and contributions to Alzheimer's Family Services, Inc. are tax deductible.
Alzheimer's Family Services, Inc. provides all of its services through private donations. Funds raised remain in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties in Florida, and Escambia county, Alabama, to assist local families affected by Alzheimer's Disease.
