RonnyG Intervention




RonnyG CALLA Blog

I’d like to start by saying thank-you to Dr. Rachel Wu, her staff and instructors that were put together for this intervention.  All are patient, understanding and most importantly non-judgmental.  And I did learn new things in each class which will be useful in the future.

My initial thoughts were three easy classes to learn something new that I probably would not have taken on my own.  I based my effort on could be accomplished during class time and not expecting the homework load that would be required to actually be proficient and excel at any of the three classes, practice, practice, practice.

From the very beginning I was behind and did think about quitting after a few weeks, just not enough time with the “perfect storm” going on in my life.  My wife workman’s comp surgery, therapy and follow-up appointments, it seemed that the medical program was sabotaging my classes by having appointments on Tuesdays and Wednesdays which happened to be the only days the doctor was at her clinic.  The workman’s comp program schedules everything as fast as they can to get a person healed and back to work as soon as possible.  Then there was post-surgery care-giving, two foreign students at a time from China, Japan and Korea.  With my wife being on the injured reserve status it was up to me to make sure students were awake, make them breakfast and sack lunch, taking to school and picking up, dinner, dishes, housecleaning, dog care/exercise and yard-work.  By the time I got around to study time I had no more energy.

I entered this program not being involved with or knowing anyone that cared for or related to people suffering with Alzheimer’s or dementia.  I thought it was A.D.D. for older people.  While recently talking to my sister and telling her about the A.B.L.E. Intervention Program that I participate in, she responded that she recently learned from our Canadian cousins that my grandmother her sisters were affected by the disease.  We moved back from Canada when I was 4 years old and there was not much contact with my mother’s side of the family until recently with social media, mostly FB.

During my career I was required to go to training seminars or formal schools to learn new regulations, environmental law, emergency response equipment and techniques, software and other requirements for my job.  These classes were typically out of town and they sometimes implemented the 200-mile rule to keep us focused and not handling business back at our homes or offices except emergencies.
You only get out as much as you put into the classes.

Linda’s First Day


Goodies for School


I had no idea what I was signing up for.  Boy was I surprised and pleased.  

I really didn’t expect much. I honestly signed up for the $40 that we were promised to take a few assessment tests.  I had hoped to get a class in gourmet cooking, not Spanish, iPad, and certainly not painting.  I had taken Spanish in high school and again in college and now as a senior, oh no. iPad I thought all computers, phones, lap tops etc. worked the same, and I barely understood how to make a call or send a text. Painting no way.  I have never been creative, or artistic in any way. So here we go, at least I’ll get another $40 at the end of it all.

Oh my goodness was I pleasantly surprised.  Not only had I made several new friends, and even when I didn’t feel like going to class the free coffee and the social interaction with my new classmates got me to class.  We were given  homework so we could practice outside the classroom setting, yuck, homework, I don’t believe anyone enjoys homework. Most of us complained but completing it. Spanish was the most difficult for me, but was surprised once again that painting was calling my name.  Me, the least creative person on the planet loved to paint.  Oh don’t get me wrong. At first I was positive it was gonna look like a first grader had thrown  some paint on the canvas, but as time went on it started to make sense to me.  Me, who believed I had no “talent” for anything artistic now seemed to have gained some kind of ability to put something recognizable on a canvas.  

To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled with the other two classes, however with each milestone reached I felt more proud of what I was doing of what I was investing my time in.  I no longer have to find one of my grandkids to help me with posting pictures or looking up something on my phone.  I still may have some difficulty with grammar and tense with Spanish, but I feel I am able to converse should the need arise.  

This study has giving me so much confidence in myself, my abilities. I still will say I have “no talent” to paint, but I have realized that I can do a fairly decent job, and many of my friends and family seemed impressed, in fact people are asking for my paintings, who knew?  I feel important and valuable, which before I kind of believed I was a “ had been”, basically just passing the time waiting to meet my maker.  I still had quite a bit to offer other than watching my grandkids. Of course I love to do that too and always have, but now I have many other activities to engage in.  

I plan on painting as long as I can afford the paint and canvases, which at this point I may choose to not buy food in order to buy paint, “JK” (for those of you not taking the iPad class that stands for just kidding).  I hope to sign up and take other classes and involve myself in different activities for as long as I am able, which I believe because I am doing it will be longer than I ever could have imagined.  

I started here with my first picture of how excited I was to get all the school supplies to attend UCR and I will like to close with my most recent painting of which I am proud I did, not perfect by any means, but for a senior who has only been exposed to this activity for 12 weeks I am impressed. 

For anyone who wants to try something that you think you can’t accomplish, trust me: you can. As Nike says, “Just Do It”.

Week 12 painting

Age Does Not Limit Learning

I feel very fortunate to have been included in this study.  My paint and pencils are back in use following a long hiatus.  I have learned new techniques and refreshed old ones.  It’s been fun and challenging.  I made new friends,  heard their stories and can relate to the challenges they express when facing the dreaded blank canvas.  

The iPad is my friend full of possibilities to enhance my life. It is like a magic carpet - climb on place to explore the wonders of technology.


There is no age limit to learning.  We  folk bring to the classroom setting  experience, maturity and ability that must surely be a blessing to our instructors. I really appreciate them.

Peggy