When I was first contacted about landscaping a home for Alzheimer’s residents, I was extremely busy and suggested a landscape contract friend of mine. However over the next few weeks, it weighed on my mind and I felt I needed to do this project. You see, my wife’s grandmother had Alzheimer’s and my first pre-son-in-law duty was to help move her from her familiar surroundings into an assisted living facility. It was very difficult to watch her children’s faces as they packed and divided a lifetime of her memories.

I never knew the complete Alice, the bookstore owner who loved her family and lived for spending time with them. The first time they brought Grandma Alice home for Sunday dinner, I must have reminded her of someone from her past because she sat beside me and started talking. She told me about her hometown of Huntsville, AL and I told her how I had sung in Huntsville at the State Fair. I brought her a picture from that performance and she pulled it out during the next few visits to show me she knew who I was.

We lost her early this year. During the whole ordeal, she was moved three times due to the poor care she was receiving. Not one of the facilities were places where I would want to live or would want to put my own mother. The moves were made with the hope of finding something better but that never panned out. I often wonder how many more talks Grandma Alice and I would have had about Alabama if the first facility had been a nurturing place.

When I arrived at AutumnGrove the first time, I expected to look at some plans and take a few measurements, but I took a tour of the framed building and was introduced to the vision and philosophy of the founders. I had done plenty of commercial projects over my career, but I decided that no matter what, I was going to get my design approved.

I decided on pavers for durability and texture that were also pleasing to the eye. I set the grade at what I felt would be comfortable. I may still be a young man but I am also a sufferer of arthritis. I knew a lot about plants but I wanted to leave this project knowing without a doubt that I had made the right choices. The backyard plants where the residents sit and walk had to be perfect and familiar to the residents. I started with a list of plants that have been around Houston for the past 30 years and each was researched to make sure they met the criteria set by The Americans With Disabilities Act: Non Toxic, and No Thorns. My options were limited but I am very pleased knowing that I have taken every precaution for the safety of all who will live and work here. I wanted it to look like Grandma’s back yard.

I do not claim to be an expert on Alzheimer’s. I am just a landscaper but I knew it wouldn’t hurt to try to create an environment that might somewhat resemble their own or perhaps an old friend’s back yard.

Grandma Alice was taken from my family at the age of 67. Everyday is so valuable and I want everyone of them to count for your loved ones. There was nothing even close to AutumnGrove for Grandma Alice but I am so honored that I was able to be a small part of building this place for your family’s needs now. This is such a difficult time for you in your life; this affliction affects the whole family. Making the right choice is so important. I may not have the ability to change your situation but my gift to you is my labor of love, “Alice’s Garden”.