To read “More about Legacy Corps,” find this story at
www.thelutheran.org/ feature/april.
Peace of mind Volunteers offer respite, second family
By Cindy Novak S
oon aſter Shirley Protis arrived at the Kyriazes’ home, she began playing music from
her iPod. As Andrew listened to the melody, he moved his fingers as if strumming, until his wife, Despina, brought out his mandolin. “He remembered some of the
chords—he was trying his darnd- est to play,” Protis recalled of Andrew, who had been a profes- sional musician. “Music has become a wonderful thing for us to enjoy. We sing along and have a nice time together.” Te couple look forward to
Protis’ visits each week. As a Legacy Corps volunteer, she spends time with Andrew, who has dementia, giving Despina free time. Legacy Corps, an AmeriCorps
program administered by Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (
www.lssi. org), provides veterans like Andrew and their caregivers in-home respite. Tat can include services like pre- paring light meals and providing transportation to medical appoint- ments and other outings.
Help for difficult days “Respite is so important because some days are more difficult than others,” Despina said. “Family and friends can’t always help. My husband is getting weaker and it’s harder for me to get out. I don’t know what I’d do without Shirley. She is an angel on earth. I know
Before leaving for a hair appointment, Des- pina Kyriazes (right) discusses her husband Andrew’s care with Shirley Protis, a Legacy Corps volunteer who visits weekly.
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Small moments of grace, like the gentle clasp of hands, connect Despina Kyriazes and her husband, Andrew, a military veteran who has dementia.
Andrew enjoys her visits too. He doesn’t remember her from week to week, but he enjoys seeing her and is disappointed when she leaves.” Respite allows caregivers to run
errands, go to a doctor’s appoint- ment or get a cup of coffee, said Peg Saintcross, Legacy Corps program manager. “It makes a world of differ- ence. It gives caregivers the energy and strength to keep going. It’s a 24/7 job—it never lets up,” she said. “Not only do we thoroughly enjoy our time with clients, caregivers get a much-needed break.” At first Despina didn’t know what
‘I don’t know what I’d do without Shirley. She is an angel on earth.’
to do with her free time when Protis began her visits a year ago. “She started out with grocery shopping,” Protis said. “I told her, ‘Go out and do something fun.’ So she started going to the senior center to play dominoes. Now she goes to her prayer group at church and out to lunch with friends. At first she had a guilty feeling leaving her husband, but I explained that she needed to take care of herself too.”
Easing family stress Cathy Gillie understands the chal- lenges caregivers face. She has watched her mother provide round- the-clock care aſter her father broke his neck and needed help with walk- ing and other everyday activities. “It has been really hard seeing
my dad become so incapacitated. It takes a toll on you mentally and physically,” Gillie said. “Stressing about both my parents has impacted me from a distance—and I wasn’t living it like my mother was.” “Legacy Corps has provided
our family with peace of mind,” Gillie said. “My parents connected with Christine Dunn (their Legacy Corps volunteer) very well. It has
PAUL ELLENBOGEN
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