DOREEN
My family was the first in South Africa to manufacture blue jeans. We’ve always been very business minded. I went to business school in South Africa. At one point, I owned a nightclub and restaurant. I came to the United States with my husband and daughter fifteen years ago—to Dixie County actually. We came and lived with my first cousin who was a motel owner. We lived in the motel for three months and then we decided to move to Gainesville.

In Gainesville, we continued to do what we did best. My husband and I owned a restaurant right in front of the University of Florida. We expanded and then bought a convenient store. There was a natural connection to the motel business, so ten years ago we bought a motel in High Springs called the Mayflower, and ran it for two years. My husband and I were always in search of new opportunities and we figured that there was better business and more security in health care. We researched turning our motel into an ALF. My husband took the required classes first. Then he passed away.

After his death, I decided to pick up where he left off and I took the required classes. My daughter did too. I received a certificate from the state and became a licensed ALF administrator. I started by going to local hospitals and visiting physicians. By chance, my first patient was a veteran from Ward 2A. He had paranoia. For me, that was a very special experience. It was challenging and it was interesting to see how he changed. From that day on, my ALF has strictly been for veterans with mental illness. I am making a good living, and I love what I do. I feel like I gained thirteen sons. The biggest shame is that my husband wasn’t here to see this. He would have been so good with the guys. I try my best to get involved in everything they do here, but I don’t think it’s the same. There are very few male administrators. My husband would have been wonderful with these guys.

I have the capacity for fifteen residents. Currently there are thirteen. They each have their own room. All meals are provided and everyone eats together--that helps with socialization. It’s very hard to get some of them out of their rooms because they isolate so much. They also have twelve to fourteen supervised hours of outings a week to the mall, park, museums, or video stores. I make sure they go to their appointments and that they take their medications. Medications, Medications, Medications! That is the key. These guys are slick; sometimes I think they’re magicians. So I make sure they take their meds at the right times.

I do believe ALF’s help them stay out of the hospital. Some residents do so well they leave and live on their own or with family. Oh, you should talk to some of their mothers. The mothers couldn’t handle their sons; the living situation had become unmanageable. They’ll tell you how important an ALF is for their mentally ill children.

I know more details about the residents than even the doctor, because I live day in and day out with the veterans. I wish I had more interaction with the doctor—I know what they eat; I know if they’re smoking; I know if they’re sleeping too much; I know if they’re isolating. It would make a difference if they really knew what was going on.

It would be nice to have volunteers here. I think it would be good for the guys to have a mentor or some companionship. That’s what I wish for them.