WHAT CAREGIVERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ELDERLY SERVICES "Compassionate people like you not only allow Alzheimer's sufferers to maintain some sense of dignity, but you also help to alleviate the pain of family members as they watch a loved one fade away. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I loved my dad very much and am so thankful that you befriended and cared for him." Daughter "My children all have jobs and families. I'm taking care of my husband myself. For the three days that He's at Project I have some time to do the errands I need to do to keep the place running. It also gives me a chance to be by myself for a little while. That's very important to me." Spouse "Mom would be in her apartment and wouldn't have anything to do during the day. Project Independence gets her out of her apartment and gives her a sense that she is needed. It broadens her horizons. They make her feel special." Daughter "Meal preparation is a big job and not having to do that while he's at Project is a real help." Spouse "Thank you all for taking such good care of Mom at Project. You are all very special people." Son "I believe Dad's condition would have deteriorated more quickly if he hadn't had the stimulation of Project Independence programs. I am thankful for this and grateful that your services relieved my stepmother of quite a lot of stress in caring for Dad as he declined. Each time I came along to pick up Dad from Project Independence when I was visiting in Vermont I was touched by the kindness of the staff. It helped relieve some of my guilt at not being there to help care for him." Daughter "He really looks forward to going to Project. He's always liked being with people and it's been a real help socially." Spouse "She came home and said, 'It was really fun. We listened to accordion music and we talked about old times.' She really enjoyed it." Daughter "Without Project Independence I couldn't have kept my husband at home with me for as long as I did. The individual attention he received was outstanding." Spouse "I had gotten to the absolute end of my rope. My mom had gone quickly down hill emotionally and I didn't know how to deal with it. I finally contacted the staff at Project Independence. I felt like they caught me when I was on my way down and picked me up again. Joanne was right there and took a huge chunk of time to listen to me. She helped me come up with plans and suggestions for helping my mom. It was incredible. She saved me. It's been especially helpful for me because I don't have anyone else to talk to about this who understands. All the staff are amazing." Daughter "No words can ever express the thanks you folks deserve. Bernadette loved everyone there so much. You brought life to her. A new world opened for her." Friend and caregiver "I know Dad enjoyed many hours there (at Project Independence): the music hours, golf games, conversations with staff... One time when I visited he told me, 'You can get a good hot shower here if you'd like one.'" Daughter "Project Independence is helping me as much as it's helping my mom." Daughter