TCV’s Caregiver of the Month of February

CONGRATULATIONS Eugene Machlin for being recognized as
The Caregiver’s Voice Caregiver of February!

The Caregiver’s Voice (TCV) is proud to announce ninety-year old Eugene Machlin as the Caregiver of the Month (CotM) of February because after all these years, he still unconditionally loves his Valentine. (Ed.)

Eugene Machlin, age 90, TCV’s Caregiver of the Month of February

You’re never too old to be a caregiver.

Eugene Machlin, my ninety-year old dad is the primary caregiver for my eighty-four-year-old mom who is paralyzed and in a wheelchair following a stroke eight years ago.

That’s right, my ninety-year old dad:

• lifts Mom out of her chair,
• takes her to the bathroom,
• gets her dressed,
• gets Mom ready for bed, or
• prepares her breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

They have an in-home aide who helps out a few hours each day, but my dad’s the one who’s doing most of the caregiving every day.

If he’s not Caregiver of the Month, I don’t know who is!! 😉
— Gia Machlin, Daughter

Edda and Gene Machlin Celebrate 51 Years

Edda and Gene Machlin on their wedding day – New York, May 1960

Edda and Gene met in New York City over a half century ago after Gene’s first wife died from an illness.

Edda had recently immigrated to the U.S. from Italy after surviving the horrors of WWII as a Jew in Europe. Together they raised Gene’s son, Chet, and had two children together–Rona and Gia where they lived in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.

Gene taught Materials Science at Columbia University and Edda wrote cookbooks and lectured about Italian Jews.

After 42 years of marriage, Edda suffered a major stroke and lost almost all her motor function on the left side of her body. They sold their home and moved to an apartment in New York City to enter the next phase of their lives.

Gene has been by Edda’s side for the past nine years taking care of all of his wife’s (Mom’s) needs.

He is the most devoted, kind, loving, caring husband
one could ever have.

[TCV’s selection committee of professional and family caregivers agrees!]

Returns as Caregiver after Hospitalization

Gene and Edda Machlin with their grandchildren Talia and Noah

This past summer, Gene was hospitalized with a double-kidney infection and his daughters and their aide, Sondra, pitched in to help Edda while he was sick.

After only a month of recovery, Gene insisted on going back to doing everything himself for Edda.

They value their independence and time alone together greatly, and have figured out a way to make it work.

On May 21st, they will celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary at their grandson Noah’s Bar Mitzvah.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mom and Dad!

Nominated by Gia Machlin
Daughter

Two Comments from TCV Caregiver of the Month Selection Committee members:

Ninety-years-old and still deeply in love with his wife–what every woman wants.
— Caregiver for her husband.

I am impressed that he is primary caregiver at age ninety. I also enjoyed reading about their life together, his illness …then right back to caregiving. Wow!
— Former caregiver for his in-laws and future caregiver for his mother

The Caregiver’s Voice will be mailing Eugene Machlin a signed copy of “Where’s my shoes?” My Father’s Walk through Alzheimer’s.