our mission

I didn’t realize while working at Boeing Aerospace when I volunteered to manage a shutdown project in Wichita Kansas, it would be my 1st introduction to Alzheimer’s. No one in my department all living in Huntington Beach, Ca. would ever volunteer to a 16-month assignment in Wichita, Kansas. What my manager and team did not know was that I was born in Wichita, Kansas and my family still lived there. I would be able to spend quality time daily with my grandmother and see family members, it was a win/win for me, a long-term paid vacation.

After only 2 months in Kansas, I found out my mother’s sister had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and my cousins were learning as they go. Two years later when I returned home to California, I found out my mother had also been diagnosed with Alzheimer Dementia, and she had hidden it for 4 years which is what I found out later on my journey is what normally happens. This is where my personal journey began. 

Immediately returning home I transferred to my dream job to work for NASA at the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Pasadena, Ca. as a contract negotiator for the MARS2020 Program.  While trying to maintain a new position help mom navigate her daily life of bills, doctor appointments, meals, home repairs, cleaning, etc. it was just too hard to juggle it all so I decided it would be much easier to move mom in with me.  Being a new caregiver, this was my 1st of many mistakes. What I actually did was take mom from the comfort of her home and made her spend almost 13 hours a day alone while I was at work. She had no one to interact with, no more yard work to stay busy, no sitting on the porch for fresh air or going next door to say hello to her neighbor, I made a bad situation worst without realizing it. I thought I was doing a good thing by making sure she was safe, had food and her personal needs taken care of, but what I forgot, was the most important part mom's mental state. 

I wanted to help as long as it benefited my situation more so than hers without even realizing it. As time passed so did moms' willingness to engage in everyday activities, going to the mall, shopping for groceries or interacting with others. Two years later I realized I had to make a change because mom was declining, while I was living my best life. 

I retired from NASA and built a home for mom and me in Dallas, Texas. Arriving March 1 during COVID. I spent a year in the house with mom really learning about Dementia and caregiver needs and the toll this can take on you. By the time the world opened up all I wanted to do was drive, drive anywhere, see someone, anyone. I needed help with mom, someone to just go by and check to make sure she was ok while I drove around getting to know Texas, but my only option was to hire a caregiver. Every company I contacted had a minimum of 2 days a week and 2 hrs. a day which as of January 2026, it is now a 4hr. minimum. This is why “Wellness Checks 4u” was created.

I was paying someone to sit and watch TV with mom because once small talk was over, dishes were washed and she helped mom “remake” her bed, there was nothing left on the caregiver package plan to do.  Even though I only needed 3 of the 12 items in my package, I still had to pay for all 12 services not needed.  My frustration is that people don't understand the needs of someone with dementia. My mother did not want anyone in her house, especially feeling like it was a babysitter and because she has short-term memory lost, she remembers the good old days nothing they could ever relate to. I did not need a caregiver at this stage; I just needed someone to go by and check to make sure she was ok. There are stages to Alzheimer's, and they are all handled different. I have been a caregiver now for 13 years and now a master at caregiver needs during different stages. Support changes, a wellness check is the start, later a caregiver will need caregiving to help navigate the journey, followed by full-time home care, nursing home and/or hospice.  Understanding the stages and having access to resources matter.

A wellness check gives caregivers a peace of mind to know their loved one is ok.

There's of course so much more, video coming soon, lol   Kendra Glass