The symptoms of the disease include memory loss, decreased ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation, difficulty in learning and loss of language skills. Last year, after Christian was no longer able to care for herself, her family checked her into Barton House, an assisted living facility, for people suffering from irreversible forms of dementia. Established in April 1996, the facility, consisting of two neighboring houses, cares for 16 residents in each house and has a staff available 24 hours a day. Currently, it houses 29 residents. Although Christian's life at the Barton House is fairly routine, she has the freedom to plan her own day.
Residents get up and go to bed when they want, and can go throughout the house as they please.
Between meals, Christian and the other residents can play games, go for a walk in the backyard, watch television, participate in special activities planned for the day, or visit with the personal caretakers. Personal caretakers help Christian with daily activities like eating, dressing, changing the bed sheets, giving medication and bathing. The caretakers also become friends with the residents by reading them stories, going together on walks or just talking with them. Christian is still outgoing and loves to laugh, but the Alzheimer's disease is slowly affecting her more and more.