Fifteen years ago, the Russo family’s lives were changed forever. Louis Russo Jr, beloved father and husband, was diagnosed with Parkison’s Disease. It was in the last few years of Louis’s life, with his illness progressing, that the family came to know Samaritan. They brought Samaritan into their home to provide medical care for Louis and to assist Joanne Russo, his wife and primary caregiver. Joanne was amazed by how quickly Samaritan organized the medical equipment Louis needed to be comfortable at home and a team to come in to help. Reflecting on Samaritan’s care, Joanne emphasized, “It was the most loving thing I could do for my husband and even for myself.”
Although Louis’s dementia, a symptom of his disease, was advancing, he still recognized his team and greeted them with a “big smile on his face.” Samaritan coordinates care plans around what each patient and caregiver needs. Louis’s Samaritan care team included, among other medical experts, massage therapists, music therapists, and aides.
Joanne felt joyful seeing her husband well cared for and smiling. She remarked that, “Samaritan came into my home in a loving, caring, and professional way. They taught me so much, and they gave me peace of mind.” Samaritan’s medical team gives caregivers tips and tools that help to ease the day-to-day care of their loved ones. This holistic approach recognizes that caregivers play an important part in providing quality care for patients and includes caregivers in the care plan.
Son, Lou Russo III’s advice to caregivers? “Never be too proud to ask for help.” He continues, “It was only after the fact that we realized the toll of caregiving.” Lou experienced both the long-term care Samaritan provided for his father and then the shorter-term hospice care provided for Marcia Phillips, his mother-in-law. During a visit to Marcia at The Samaritan Center Voorhees he recognized a few of the nurses who had cared for his father. Seeing them reminded him of how they had treated his dad like family, caring for him with warmth and love. The experience inspired the family to help other caregivers access the resources Samaritan provides. The 12th Putt for Parkinson’s tournament, a sold-out success, will help them do just that.
In the years following Louis Russo Jr.’s diagnosis – motivated by love – the family had organized the Putt for Parkinson’s golf tournament. Their goal had been to raise funds to support Parkinson’s research and cures through the Micheal J. Fox Foundation. After experiencing the wonderful care Samaritan provided, the Russo’s knew they wanted to help others local families access the same excellent care they had received. In July 2024, for the first time in the tournament’s 12-year history, Putt for Parkinson’s added Samaritan as a second beneficiary.
All of us at Samaritan thank the Russo family for the privilege of caring for their beloved Louis and Marcia, and for their heartfelt generosity!