A Gift of Dignity: Holiday Shopping Comes to Residents as a Free Pop-up Store

A few years ago, Sandie Yeaman received an unexpected request while visiting a friend’s mother, Gwen, in a memory care unit. “It’s Christmas, and I am stuck here. I cannot leave,” Gwen said feistily. “Will you go present-shopping for me?” So Sandie did. She knew Gwen’s family well, and this helped her choose a few items that she thought they would like, and she brought them to the facility. While reviewing her selections with Gwen in the community space, Sandie noticed that other residents took interest.