Gary Babcock hadn’t heard his father speak in two years, and watched as Melvin Babcock sat motionless, most often slumped in sleep, in his wheelchair. Melvin Babcock was living with Alzheimer’s, and as his behavior became more and more agitated, caregivers increased his antipsychotic medications in effort to "restrain" him. That was before Melvin became part of Ecumen’s Awakenings program at Ecumen North Branch.

  "When I heard him tell my mom, ‘That was our son Gary,’ as I walked away, I couldn’t believe it," said Gary. "And now he’s wheeling around the place, stopping at neighbors’ doors to say hello."

  You can view a poignant news feature about our Awakenings initiative that recently aired on KARE 11 TV, by clicking here. What the feature video won’t tell you is that Melvin is now on his third pair of biking gloves. 

  Ecumen’s Awakenings initiative is underway in all of our 15 care centers in Minnesota. Find our locations at ecumen.org. You can join us in changing aging by donating to Ecumen Giving on Minnesota Give to the Max day, November 16.