For more than six decades, Betty Zullo’s place was at home, surrounded by the love she shared with her husband, Gary. As Betty reached the end stage of Alzheimer’s disease, Gary remained devoted to the promise their family had made together.
“We had agreed not to move her until it was no longer safe for her to be at home. That was going to be the deciding point,” he said. When asked why he took care of her himself for so long, his answer was simple and profound. “Sixty-one years of marriage. There was no other place for her to be.”
Earlier this winter, Betty’s condition declined quickly, and the family made the difficult decision to move her so she could receive skilled nursing care at K-B House. Gary’s expectations were shaped by having heard positive things about the community from friends, families, and a few health care professionals. He was not disappointed. In fact, the experience went far beyond what he could have hoped for.
Gary spent up to 10 hours each day at his wife’s side. While Betty slept much of the time, he visited with other residents and observed similar interactions with the nursing staff, giving him an even deeper understanding of the community’s pervasive culture of compassion. “It wasn’t just the clinical care,” Gary said. “It was the deep, authentic emotional and spiritual care. Everyone was taken care of with such attention and compassion. I watched their work every day, and it was so impressive. They are full of empathy. We were so blessed.”
He noted that this kindness extended across every department…nursing, housekeeping, dining. Each team member was attentive, positive, and patient, with a camaraderie that was easy to feel and deeply reassuring.
Countless moments stayed with Gary. A nurse who quietly offered a prayer at Betty’s bedside. A nurse’s aide who came in on her day off with her brother, a priest, to pray with Gary. The chaplain who checked in regularly. And when the team noticed Gary was not eating, they brought him breakfast, gently reminding him, “You need to eat too.” Gary made a connection with John, a nurse on the overnight shift. Both veterans, they shared stories about their military experiences. During the last moments of Betty’s life, Gary felt comfort from these connections during what was a very difficult time.
“There was nothing that wasn’t special about the team. They knew exactly what they were doing. I don’t know how they do the work they do. They have to be very special. I kept looking for their wings,” said Gary.
Betty took her final breath with Gary and their two children holding her hands. Reflecting on the team who had cared for his wife in her final days, Gary is filled with graditude.
“They were unbelievable. I’m in love with all of them.”
