Tag: pets

Care Partnering, Hope, Inspiration, Joy, Love

courageous vangaros united by love in life and death

My Alzheimer's Story
Pops and Vince Vangaro

Albert Anthony “Pops” Zangaro

April 1st, 1942 – April 10th, 2018

For fourteen years, Vince Zangaro cared for his “Pops” who lived with Alzheimer’s disease. During that time, Vince developed a deep and abiding love, compassion and a gentleness of spirit that endeared him to care partners around the world. He shared some of his feelings on Facebook the day he and his family said farewell to Pops.

Besides being the primary care partner to his father, Zangaro is a musician and the main driver behind the Alzheimer’s Music Fest. His posts and videos documenting the loving care he and his wife Amy give Pops inspired and will no doubt continue to inspire thousands.

As Zangaro and his family approached their final days together, Vince took the time to recognize Chappie Bird, his father’s feathered friend. Here’s that Facebook post as well:

See a video of the Zangaro family caring together here.

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Care Partnering, Hope, Inspiration, Joy, Love

son thanks pops’ caregiver bird at alzheimer’s end

My Alzheimer's Story

Vince Zangaro is an extraordinary person. He’s cared for his “Pops” who lives with Alzheimer’s disease for fourteen years. During that time, he has developed deep and abiding love, compassion and a gentleness of spirit that have endeared him to care partners around the world.

Besides being the primary care partner to his father, Zangaro is a musician and the main driver behind the Alzheimer’s Music Fest. His posts and videos documenting the loving care he and his wife Amy give Pops inspire thousands.

Now, Zangaro and his family are approaching their final days together, and true to form, Vince takes time to recognize Chappie Bird, his father’s feathered friend. Here’s the Facebook post:

See a video of the Zangaro family caring together here.

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Love, Memories, Videos

the paws that refreshes

My Alzheimer's Story

December 28, 2009: Exactly when Mom acquired her little grey cat with the big yellow eyes is hard to say, but it was sometime after the spring of 2001 when Mom and I went to Rome on holiday for a week. We stayed at a little family-run hotel call the San Pio, saw amazing sights and created wonderful memories which Mom lost over time, but which I still have for the moment. Mom named Pia Roma for the little hotel and the trip.

I also don’t recall precisely how Pia found her way to Mom. She was either discovered  in the cedar hedge in front of Mom’s or given to her by a friend who lives on the East Road; I don’t remember which. It doesn’t really matter when or how they found each other. What does matter is that Pia became Mom’s best friend, her stalwart companion in the big red brick house on the hill.

Of all the cats Mom had over the years, Pia proved the oddest. In a strange and quirky way, she was the most endearing as well. She and Mom often had tea together in the morning, a ritual I captured on December 28, 2009, and entitled (tongue-in-cheek) The Paws that Refreshes, in which Pia has her share of tea from Mom’s new Christmas mug.

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