Empowering You Success Story

Annette: Finding Balance and Hope

A 72-year-old Piedmont patient found himself physically and emotionally overwhelmed after discontinuing caregiving services for his wife, who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

As her primary caregiver, he struggled to meet his own needs, feeling isolated and exhausted. With increasing A1C levels and ongoing evaluations for transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), he realized his health was deteriorating.

In a moment of desperation, he reached out to Annette, an RN Care Manager with Piedmont's Population Health team, who had helped him previously. He shared, “I feel like I’m having a mental breakdown, and I don’t know where to turn for help." Annette immediately offered a compassionate ear, providing emotional support and connecting him to resources through Epic, including the 988 national crisis line and counseling services.

A few days later, Annette followed up. The patient shared that after speaking with the crisis line, he could “finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Their guidance had helped him regain a sense of control and access additional support.

Determined to prioritize his well-being, he arranged for his wife to attend an adult day care center two to three afternoons a week, allowing him time for himself. He also resumed attending a dementia support group, feeling reassured by the availability of crisis and counseling services. With renewed focus, he began caring for his own health—consulting a cardiologist using a continuous glucose monitor and incorporating regular exercise into his routine.

Through connection and support, he found a path forward, balancing his caregiving responsibilities with his well-being.

Learn more about Piedmont's Empowering You program.