Wayne Van Leuven: a remarkable caregiver

On Friday, October 12, at the San Diego Winery and Culinary Center in San Diego, Wayne Van Leuven was recognized as a top finalist for the prestigious Fourth Annual Golden Caregiver Award. “I was totally surprised because I didn’t know Teddie Borges nominated me,” said Van Leuven, activities assistant at the Fallbrook Adult Day Care Center.

On August 29, day care center administrator Borges wrote a letter to the Golden Caregiver Awards Committee nominating Van Leuven for an award. In her correspondence, she wrote how Van Leuven has a huge heart, never turning down a request from anyone in need.

In her letter she shared to the committee: “Wayne is an incredible example of integrity and professionalism. He goes beyond his job description and takes anything he is faced with in stride. Wayne is a terrific all-around employee and team member. With his experience, work ethic and loving attitude he can adapt to any care giving position.”

The committee chose their finalists by recognizing exemplary people in the community whose caregiving and commitment bettered the overall wellbeing for others in need. And Van Leuven was chosen.

Before Van Leuven was hired on as an activities assistant, he was a caregiver for his wife, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He claimed he actually stumbled onto the day care center, also kindly referred to as “The Club.”

His wife attended The Club for a handful of years. “The Club made a big difference in her life.”

It was a huge help, said Van Leuven. “I needed someplace to take my wife while I went shopping and did errands.”

Van Leuven became close to the employees and volunteers, as they became very much like his second family.

As the disease worsened for his wife, Van Leuven made the difficult decision of finding a facility for his beloved high school sweetheart. At this stage in her disease, she is unable to recognize Van Leuven.

To this day, after work, Van Leuven motors through gridlock traffic to see his wife so he can feed her dinner. Sadly, she is unable to feed herself.

When Van Leuven found a nice facility for his spouse, he decided to volunteer at The Club.

Following his retirement from his full-time job, Borges offered him a job. “I’m glad I’m retired so I can do a job like I’m doing now,” said Van Leuven.

He wears multiple hats at The Club. When he’s not championing activities for the members, he’s doing handyman work, driving the van or picking up ice cream for a social. Once people think he’s done it all, he surprises everyone by doing more.

Van Leuven loves the club and caring for the people. “I do what I do for the fun of it. I love the people; they are so much fun and interesting.”

There is never a dull moment, he explained, and the atmosphere and activities are so upbeat. “And the people enjoy coming here.”

Being a caregiver himself, Van Leuven knows how tough it can be. His advice: try to look at the positive all the time and never the negative. That is the biggest thing one can do, he advised.

When he feels emotionally downtrodden, Van Leuven remembers what his father used to tell him many years ago: “When things get tough, count to ten. And if ten doesn’t work then count to eleven. You’ll always find something good to think about by the time you count to eleven.”