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Names: Ruby and Irving Kallenbach

Age: 92 and 94, respectively

Sex: F and M, respectively

Marital Status: Married for 72 years

Religion: Jewish – Not able to attend services, participate in a nondenominational service in their community

Language: English

Traditions: Enjoy all Jewish holidays with daughters and respect another daughter’s choice to be Christian, they celebrate Christian holidays with her family.

Culture: Jewish culture, eat a very strict kosher diet

Medical Diagnosis: Ruby is treated for mild depression and anxiety. Irving has diabetes that is controlled with oral medications. Irving has been diagnosed with moderate dementia (recently) and has been asked to participate in a research study with Mayo Clinic.

Financial Resources and Insurance: Ruby purchased a life care contract at a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), however Irving did not qualify for the life care contract because of his dementia diagnosis. Ruby and Irving had enough funds for Irving to pay privately in the independent setting. They have Medicare and prescription drug coverage.

Social Support System: Ruby and Irving have lived in their CCRC for 6 years and have many friends. Ruby has made friends with the activity director (who is also Jewish) in assisted living and they have collaborated to offer annual Passover Seders for the Jewish residents that reside in the community, which is a small percentage of residents. Ruby and Irving have three daughters that reside in different states. Their oldest daughter is a Rabbi and is available to travel when necessary. Their middle daughter is a CPA and is very busy most of the year as she has her own business. Their youngest daughter is a social worker in a hospital setting.

Current living environment: The couple lives in a CCRC with multiple levels of care. Ruby feels that she has the emotional and social support that she needs to care for Irving; however, she is struggling as Irving is having more difficulty ambulating and is becoming more frustrated and agitated. Irving used to write out his day and follow the sheet of paper; however, this task has become nearly impossible. Irving is very frustrated as he was the professor of engineering at the local university. At times Ruby must call for assistance when Irving refuses to take his medications or becomes angry and unmanageable. Ruby knows that Irving could go to the memory care assisted living on campus, but she is struggling with the guilt of not being able to care for her husband of 72 years and the financial effect of the move.

Hobbies: Ruby loves reading, shopping, and walking. Irving loves walking, singing, joking, and reciting poems, which he has trouble remembering.

Community Resources: All services in the continuum of care for a CCRC, adult day care, home health services, hospice, a local Alzheimer’s Association, behavioral health, free standing assisted living homes, and centers and facilities.