Roger, a native of Michigan, a widower and a private man, reminds us of the significance of Christmas and the gift of giving. Roger, 79 and a long-time MonarchCare client, was a resident of an assisted living facility when he was hospitalized due to multiple falls in a six-week period. MonarchCare had concerns that he was being over medicated. Once released from the hospital, Roger moved to a skilled nursing facility. He was taking over a dozen different medications, including several psychotropic drugs. He was so lethargic he could not benefit from needed physical and occupational therapy. MonarchCare began to advocate for a reduction in his medications, but met resistance from Rogers' doctor and facility staff. Eventually a court-appointed monitor visited the facility and agreed that he should move to a facility specializing in psychiatric conditions.

Roger was anxious about the upcoming change and had a dream with a vision of Christ. Roger shared his vision with our Care Manager and wept, expressing for the first time that he prays daily for the people tending to his needs. Once moved, Rogers' medication regimen changed dramatically. Indeed Roger was awake…and he had one Christmas wish, "Christmas lights, can you take me to see Christmas lights?"

Roger did go and see the holiday lights thanks to arrangements made by MonarchCare. Roger is now coherent, participates in all his therapies and has reconnected with family we were unaware he had.