Written by Amber Bowman
Life has a way of presenting unexpected challenges, even to those who have already faced their fair share of trials. In the case of Jim, a retired Navy veteran, his latest battle came in the form of an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. But amidst the storm of uncertainty, Synergy Homecare and the Veterans Affairs (VA) emerged as a lifeline, enabling Jim and his wife Darlene to face this new chapter with hope and support.
Having spent years serving in the United States Navy, Jim has weathered storms both at sea and on land. His current battle came in the fall of 2022 as he was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This diagnosis was not only physically debilitating, but it also posed emotional and financial challenges for Jim and Darlene.
Before the diagnosis, Darlene was working full time but knew she needed help as Jim was home alone and having more and more falls. Darlene reached out to the VA which provides a comprehensive range of services tailored to the individual needs of each veteran. It was difficult to get eligible care for Jim through the VA until his ALS diagnosis. But with ALS the VA takes full responsibility and automatically accounted for all the help and support Jim and Darlene needed. They applied for every service offered and were able to start working with Synergy and their Care Professionals with double the hours of assistance.
Synergy takes pride in serving our veterans and has worked closely with Darlene to create a care plan that addressed her husband’s unique challenges, ensuring that he could live as comfortably as possible. ALS presents a rapidly changing landscape of physical abilities. With the assistance of Synergy, he continues to adapt and find innovative ways to overcome daily obstacles. The emotional toll of a degenerative disease cannot be underestimated. The Synergy team recognizes this and strives to provide not only day to day care but anything else that can support Jim and his family.
Darlene said one thing she loves about Synergy is how they are always trying to be better and go above and beyond for their clients. For example, Synergy is always on top of shift changes so that there is not a minute that goes by without care. They had a schedule made for Darlene so that she too could know which caregiver to expect. As more and more hours are added to Jim’s care, it’s an ongoing process to keep up the right team. Darlene’s advice for others going through the same situation is to not be afraid to communicate your needs to the homecare agency and care professionals. She says, “Synergy always listens to my complaints and responds willingly with open arms and open ears”. They all work together with patience and take on each challenge.
Jims transition from a Navy veteran to an ALS warrior showcases the power of resilience and the vital role that the right support can play in a veteran’s life. With a combination of daily care, emotional support, and adaptive strategies, Jim and Darlene continue to navigate this ALS journey with courage and grace. Synergy is committed to serving those who have served our country and are proud to provide assistance in any way they can to another remarkable veteran.
