Richard and Vivian Dummich have been married since 1953. When they moved to Copper Trace — CarDon & Associates’ senior living community in Westfield — the staff made sure they stayed close, despite living in separate wings. Richard was living in the skilled nursing facility when Vivian moved to the memory support area. That week, the staff orchestrated a meeting between them. They held hands and shared a warm embrace, glowing with love.
“That was a big moment. It meant the world,” said their daughter, Nanette Sullivan. “It gave me peace of mind because being together has always been so important to them.”
Richard and Vivian have been together for 68 years now. Sparks first flew between them during a car ride with mutual friends, and they married in the midst of Richard’s Navy service. After the Korean War, he pursued engineering and started his own drafting service. He went on to work for the electronics company, RCA, as a manager in the information systems and design department. Richard retired in 1987, moving with Vivian to Naples, Florida, where he opened his own golf shop and designed clubs for such prestigious golfers as Gary Player. He was the only Class A club designer for the junior leagues in southern Florida.
“To satisfy the engineer in him, he built a golf green with two tees in our backyard. I got that instead of a pool,” Nanette said with a hearty laugh.
Richard’s drive to pursue his passions rubbed off on Vivian, who went back to school in her 40s to become a nurse. She went on to work as a licensed practical nurse for a few senior living communities in Indy and a urologist in Florida.
Now, after just a few months at Copper Trace, they feel right at home. Richard receives 24-hour care from the committed, compassionate nursing staff, and Vivian is getting equally comprehensive support through Copper Trace’s Cherished Memories program. In the memory support area, everyone from the nurses and therapists to the housekeeping and dietary staff is equipped with training in caring for people with memory loss or cognitive impairment. Residents’ rooms are covered with pictures of family members to keep their fondest memories intact. In the memory support area, residents can also make memory boxes and play brain games to keep their minds sharp.
Along with 12 other CarDon communities, Copper Trace was recently named a recipient of Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2021 Customer Experience Award™. Nanette feels like the recognition is well deserved.
“I’ve had constant phone calls from nursing staff, activity directors, admin people,” Nanette said. “I greatly appreciate how everyone keeps me updated about what’s going on. Copper Trace is a wonderful, healing environment. I can rest easy knowing my parents are there together and receiving the best care.”
