Last Thanksgiving the daughter of an 84-year-old retiree introduced me to her father, Frank. On the day that we met, Frank was sitting in his recliner watching one of his favorite Discovery Channel programs. Within a few minutes, I understood that age and diminishing health were robbing this man of some of his physical abilities but his mental capacity was as sharp as ever.

When the paperwork was complete, the assignment cleared and it was time to go, he said, "Bill, there is just one more thing!"

"Yes, Frank," I said, "what is that?"

"Sometime I want to share with you my stories from my fishing trip in Wyoming!"

We all smiled and I said, "I look forward to hearing how the big one didn't get away!"

He smiled, shook my hand and we said our good-byes.

Within the next few days our Direct Care Workers began providing for Frank's personal care needs known as Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) and light housekeeping and other tasks known as Independent Activities of Daily Living (IADL's). Frank was responsive to each of the care givers assigned to his case and quickly developed a good relationship with them.

Over the course of months, Frank's daughter would call from time to time and share special needs or concerns. In May, she was very excited when she called, "Did you hear what my Daddy did today?" A momentary concern left me when she said, "He went fishing in his living room and he is the happiest that I have seen him in years! Thank you! And thank you to your caregivers!" Of course I started with you're welcome and then said, "Help me to understand how, with whom and did you say the living room?"

She shared who the caregiver was and how Frank had gotten to talking about fishing after watching a fishing show. He asked her to retrieve his fishing gear from the hall closet. Together they talked about a fishing trip he had made many years before, how he and his family had traveled west spending weeks exploring, fishing and working with the local folks. As he shared, the caregiver got an idea. Quietly she went to work using some paper, markers, scissor and tape and in a short time she crafted five "paper doll" rainbow trout. For the next hour, Frank would cast his line into the living room imaginary waters and soon there would be a tug on the line and a 10 inch prize rainbow trout ready for Frank to release and celebrate.

The story would be fun and celebrative but not complete unless I were to tell you that over these past months of receiving exceptional personal care Frank has also responded by becoming more independent. As I write Frank is now eating three meals a day and having an afternoon and before bedtime snack. Today, Frank sleeps in a hospital bed each night using his walker to move from his recliner to the comfort of a good night's sleep in his own bed. In November he spent all of his time in the recliner. Today, Frank makes an occasional trip outside to watch the birds, look at his gardens, and smells the fresh air. That too is new since our caregivers arrived at Franks.