Bluegrass Care Navigators Helps Dementia Patient Improve Quality of Life
Randy Conn is not your average patient. After suffering a migraine induced stroke at age 32 that left him legally blind, Randy learned to live with pain by focusing on what he could do rather than his limitations. He became an excellent wood worker, making beautiful pieces, like Adirondack chairs, tables and blanket chests for family and friends. After his diagnosis with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a condition causing severe cognitive decline, behavioral changes, mood and sleep disorders, and ultimately death, Randy resolved to live with dignity and preserve his quality of life.
This decision led him and his wife, Karen, to seek the expert support of Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) for palliative, hospice and grief care as the disease progressed and Randy’s cognitive abilities declined.
"The team at BCN has been phenomenal,” Randy said. “They’ve helped me manage my pain, given me tools to cope with the cognitive decline, and supported Karen with respite care. It makes me feel better that my family is getting the care they need, too.”
The Conns began using palliative care to help manage Randy’s chronic pain, as well as nausea and vomiting. After several months, Randy transitioned to hospice care due to increased cognitive decline, non-responsiveness and feeding tube management.
“After entering hospice care, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders because I didn’t have to do anything I didn’t want to, like go to appointments or do other treatments,” Randy said. “Our sole focus was my quality of life.”
Thanks to the expert team of clinicians, Randy’s health stabilized, making him one of the rare patients to transition from hospice care back to palliative care so the team could continue managing his symptoms. BCN not only continues to support Randy but also helps Karen and their children with caregiver education, respite support and grief services to address the full spectrum of physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
"They’ve been so supportive, not just with pain management, but also in giving me the space to talk about what I’m going through," Randy said. “The care team has made sure that I can live on my terms and has given me comfort in my final stages without unnecessary interventions.”
As Randy and Karen reflect on their experiences, they emphasize the importance of early care and the value of having a team that listens and adapts to their needs. As part of BCN’s grief care services, the Conns meet with a grief counselor once a month, or more if needed, for family or individual sessions.
"Hospice doesn’t just support the patient; they support the whole family," Karen noted. "BCN helped us process our grief, manage our fears, and make the most of the time we have left."
Through their partnership with Bluegrass Care Navigators, Randy and Karen have found a path to navigate the complexities of Lewy Body Dementia with grace, love, and support.
Established in 1978, BCN provides hospice care in 32 counties across northern, central and eastern Kentucky. As a mission-driven, nonprofit agency, BCN supports those facing serious illness or chronic disease with both long and short-term hospice care, palliative care, transitional care, home health, PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), integrative medicine and grief counseling services. For more information on services available by county, visit bgcarenav.org or call 855.492.0812.
