Merle's Story

 His daughters sought a program to provide stimulus for him.  He loves socializing!  He likes variety and activities, and an adult day program seemed like a great option.  

As caregivers, the girls needed a break to care for themselves.  Their top priority was to find a safe place for Dad, and they feel confident that they've found that in Gentog.  They liked the idea that children are integrated into the activities at Gentog.  While Merle doesn't care about the program being Christian, it is important to his daughters.  After touring the facility, they saw that the owners and staff really care about the guests, and treat them with respect.

Merle attends Gentog 3 days a week, arriving about 10am and staying until the early evening.   He travels to Tigard from Wilsonville.  

If you ask Merle what he likes best about Gentog, he will tell you it is the coffee and the time with the children.  Merle enjoys and participates in many of the activities.  Much of the time he feels like he is spending his day "at work".  At the end of the day, he seeks his ride home.  He has a sense of time, and the time spent here makes him feel productive again.

If you ask Deanna what she does while her Dad is at Gentog, she will tell you that she has time to complete her errands for the week, and she can even sneak in a nap some days.  Now that is a luxury that most caregivers don't have!

Finally, when asked what she would tell others about Gentog, Deanna says that she recommends Gentog to everyone she speaks to about the program.  She stresses that Gentog is a safe place where their loved one is respected and where their needs are met.  The staff genuinely cares about the guests.  There are fun activities, and at Gentog they truly celebrate the individual.