Marguerite and André Menard joined the Mid Coast Senior Health family in 2015. In their late 80s, they were looking for an alternative to the demands of owning a home, shoveling snow, and managing a household. Having purchased their home in the early part of their marriage, it was difficult to let go, but André was showing signs of memory loss and Marguerite (pictured here as the middle puzzler) needed assistance with taking care of him.
A long-time nurse with Regional Memorial Hospital, Mid Coast Hospital and Mid Coast Senior Health were familiar to Marguerite. Together, she and André selected a sun-filled apartment on the third floor of the assisted living community, Thornton Hall, which offered them peace-of-mind, security, and independence, while still enjoying their time together.
After their first few weeks of living in assisted living, André’s dementia had advanced, now requiring the safety and comfort of specialty memory care. Given that Mid Coast Senior Health offers a full range of services, André was able to remain close, moving just beyond the glass doors to the memory care community, The Garden.
Marguerite visited daily to share a meal, music performance, an activity – and the love they had known for a lifetime. At the same time, she was able to enjoy the companionship of others, making new friends and rebuilding a life for herself with the comfort of gourmet meals, a full complement of activities, and a schedule that allowed her to keep active and engaged.
Before André’s passing in fall 2016, Marguerite and André celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their four children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren and a host of new friends that they had made at Mid Coast Senior Health. Marguerite is now so grateful for these friends and caregivers. Whether dining, playing cards, or doing puzzles, they support her in health and happiness, allowing her to enjoy life while having “just a little bit of fun.”