Kit Carmody

Hello to all our friends!  Mr. Kit Carmody is without a doubt one of the most technologically uninterested people we all know - but since he seemed enthusiastic about how effective a website might be in communicating to lots of family and friends about what is going on with him, I am plunging ahead with this CaringBridge site.  

As many of you already know, in addition to his known medical problems, our dear Kit was recently diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia - a neurological disease (related to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's) that is progressive and for which there is no cure.  We had seen the symptoms over the past year or so....but Kit's doctors had thought that the confusion and cognitive issues that had been developing might be related to his existing medical issues.  And he had also been faring reasonably well at home with a little extra help from some very wonderful caregivers.  But finally in early February, his neurologist confirmed the Lewy Body diagnosis and advised us that 24 hour care would be necessary going forward.  A defining characteristic of Lewy Body is very vivid hallucination activity, and this can result in very changeable and unpredictable behavior which is what requires the significant oversight.   Most unfortunately, this "naming" of Kit's condition sent him into a significant and totally uncharacteristic depression, and he was hospitalized in late February for just over a week for observation and psychiatric stabilization.  Upon his discharge from the hospital on March 4, it was recommended that he move directly to an assisted living facility with a dementia care specialty.  

Definitely in the "when God closes a door, he opens a window" department, a brand new assisted living/dementia facility opened in our small town of Lincoln (just five minutes from our home) on April 1, 2016.  The owner and manager of this property, Benchmark, worked with us to find a post-hospital spot in one of their other properties (Chestnut Park, Brighton) until the Lincoln opening.   So after about a month in Brighton, Kit is now one of the "founding" residents of the new assisted living/dementia care facility at The Commons in Lincoln.  The Commons is an existing Continuing Care Retirement Community, to which assisted living and skilled nursing wings were added.  It's a really attractive place, and Kit's apartment is quite nice.  The best thing is its proximity to 11 Blueberry Lane - I can even run or bike over there!  We are so hopeful that this arrangement will provide Kit with the support that he needs, in a place that keeps him safe and close to cherished family and friends.    

Please keep Kit in your prayers  - this has been a very challenging time over the past six weeks, and Lewy Body is very difficult disease.  Kit is aware of what is happening to him, and understandably gets frustrated with the many things he can no longer do.  But he is also very uplifted by the love and presence of his family and friends.  I also have to add, "... and so are we".  Given all that has happened in a short period of time, we are incredibly grateful for all the support from so many.  

If you are local, please feel free to visit at The Commons.  Late morning or afternoons are typically the best times.  The address is:

The Commons
2 Harvest Circle #H-2A
Lincoln, MA 01773
phone (Kit's cell):  781-223-8857

If you can't visit, cards/letters are great.  And despite Kit's non-interest in anything electronic, we will be sure to pass along any messages you may send via this CaringBridge site to him.  

xo Carol and Nelle