Two residents from the Gardant-managed assisted living and memory care communities in South Elgin were featured in a video designed to encourage lawmakers to protect Medicaid funding.
The video, which was produced by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), highlights the story of Chuck and Cathy, a couple who is still able to see each other every day – after more than six decades of marriage – because of the housing benefits Medicaid provides.
In 2014, Chuck suffered a stroke, and Cathy’s dementia advanced. They exhausted their savings. Knowing how important it was to keep them together, their children began searching for memory care and assisted living communities near each other. They found Heritage Woods of South Elgin and White Oaks at Heritage Woods of South Elgin.
“All they wanted was the best for their parents and that’s what we gave them,” said Ruth Lindsey, move in coordinator for the community, which accepts both private-pay and Medicaid.
Every day, Chuck walks less than 100 feet from his apartment to Cathy’s memory care unit. Although her short term memory suffers, she has vivid memories of all the times they’ve spent together since the day they met — during a blind date at a hockey game.
“It’s such a blessing to be able to be near her and be with her,” Chuck said, describing his wife as the best-looking girl over there in White Oaks.
“Without Medicaid, I don’t see how we’d ever be able to do that”
The video that shares their story was shown during a congressional briefing this week. It highlights just two of the lives that are touched by Medicaid, which allows one in six assisted living residents to receive long term care.
This AHCA/NCAL campaign encourages people to watch the video and urge their member of Congress to protect Medicaid for people like Chuck and Cathy.
