We are a rapidly aging population. As our boomers andsubsequent generations continue to live beyond ourexpectations, we relish each day with them as a gift. With thatgift, however, comes the responsibility for their care. Those withconditions such as Alzheimer’s need particularly close attentionfrom their loved ones. While many focus on how to manage SocialSecurity, some heroes like Entertainment Tonight’s LeezaGibbons and WellMed are taking steps to improve the lives ofarea seniors.
Marking the three month anniversary of her mother’s passing,Leeza Gibbons is announcing the opening of her second‘Leeza’s Place by WellMed’, which will provide a range of basicservices to both debilitated care–recipients and their caregivers.The center will feature a library with reference materials,a media center, a coffee bar,computer stations, a dedicatedcare advocate and a‘memory television’.
This Leeza’s Place, thesecond in San Antonio,is located at the Bob RossMulti–Service ResourceCenter at 2219 Babcock.The Northeast location,which was the first inSan Antonio, is located at14100 Nacogdoches. Thegrand opening on August22nd featured appearancesby Leeza Gibbons; District8 City Councilwoman DianeCibrian; George M.Rapier III, M.D., founder ofWellMed Medical Managementand WellMed MedicalGroup; Dennis Campa, Director the Department of CommunityInitiatives for the City of San Antonio; and Michael A. Garcia,Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services.
The WellMed Charitable Foundation, along with San Antonio’sDepartment of Community Initiatives and the LeezaGibbons Memory Foundation, will offer much–needed care tovictims of Alzheimer’s, stroke, cancer, diabetes, chronic lungdisease and heart disease. Valued at around $250,000, WellMed’scontribution to the project will underwrite Leeza’s Place for thenext three years. “The addition of Leeza’s Place By WellMedcomplements the comprehensive services that the Departmentof Community Initiatives Senior Services Division provides directlyto seniors through the Bob Ross Center,” said Pete McKinnon,Bob Ross Senior Center Administrator. “Through Leeza’sPlace, we can provide direct services to caregivers as well.”
The Bob Ross Senior Center, which recently celebrated itsone–year anniversary, is considered a national model for providingone–stop senior services to the community, from health andnutrition to social and educational activities. WellMed and cityofficials believe the addition of Leeza’s Place will further establishthe Bob Ross Senior Center as a leader in senior services.
The center is an oasis for caregivers integrating educationalprograms, connective social activities, emotional supportand intergenerational programming. “Caring for someonewith a debilitating disease is often an exhausting affair of love,”said George M. Rapier III, M.D., Founder and Chairman ofWellMed. “Helping a person deal with the painful long goodbyeof Alzheimer’s disease, the ravages of cancer, diabetes orother chronic ailment can be a difficult, confusing and frustratingtime for both patients and caregivers.”
With the help of WellMed and Leeza Gibbons, caretakersand their charges can take a well–deserved break under the careof WellMed professionals.Some complimentary servicesoffered will nourishself–esteem, relieve symptoms,impart knowledge,educate, reduce stress andpromote inclusion, and ultimately.“We are very ambitiousabout our abilityto offer help, because theneed is so great. Caregivershave very little voice.They are the last ones toask for help. But they arethe first to take a hit,” saysGibbons. “We are trulyhonored to be associatedwith Dr. Rapier and histeam of miracle–workers atWellMed.”
Gibbons started the foundationin response to the struggles she and her family dealt withafter losing her grandmother to Alzheimer’s disease, and hermother was diagnosed with the memory disorder. “It instills alot of honor…a lot of joy. I felt very privileged to have been closeto my mom. But it’s also incredibly stressful for a caregiver,when you have this safe, supportive relationship. It’s like beingon this tilt awhirl and all of sudden you have no true north anymore,” says Gibbons. “There’s love involved…fear…helplessness.I think the frontline reaction is ‘I’m going to tune them allout’. Caregivers don’t think ‘how am I going to feel about this?’...By bringing this Center to our community, we hope to ease theburden for people coping with a chronic, debilitating illness inthe family.”
Leeza’s Place, is the manifestation of Leeza’s vision for abetter standard of care for patients and caregivers. “We haveso many of the caregivers who are seniors themselves…maybetaking care of their spouses. They become hopeless and frustrated…Sympathy’s nice, but you need a tool kit,” says Gibbons.And that is just where Leeza’s Place and WellMed step in.
