James W. Leyk Nursing

Jim Leyk was definitely a people person — he was a truck driver and everyone knew him and loved him. When he became afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease at age 58, he lost the ability to remember people and events and he withdrew into himself. He was able to live at home with his spouse for 10 years – Jim’s family believed he did well for so long because he kept his mind and body active, working puzzles and walking for miles every day. In his last year of life he needed to be moved to a long term care facility. Jim’s daughter-in-law, Mary, worked for 16 years in long term care and knows how difficult it is for loved ones of those afflicted with this disease. It is also difficult for staff to care for these residents that have literally lost everything when they have lost their memories and their abilities to be who they are. With this award Jim’s family honors the memory of a man whom they loved, and the people that care for all of the residents that can no longer live out their days in their own homes.