Ann Halstrom, director of Providence St. Mary Home Health, was already concerned for her brother-in-law, Jim Halstrom.
He had been a lobbyist for Washingtonâs state government his entire career. And although he was 78, he had worked up until nine months earlier, when rapid-onset dementia began robbing him of the ability to do so.
Ann Halstrom, a longtime nurse who now works to help elderly and people with disabilities stay in their own homes in the Walla Walla area, knew what such a diagnosis meant for husband Danâs older brother.
Jim Halstrom and his wife, Judy, lived on Bainbridge Island in the Seattle area. A fall in his home sent him into the hospital, but the symptoms of COVID-19 were already affecting him, his sister-in-law said.
By Nina Culver The Spokesman-Review
The news that the Christmas Bureau would be handing out vouchers this year instead of toys and books hit hard, and some in the community have questioned whether organizers explored every avenue before putting the toys and books in storage to wait until next year.
Christmas Bureau Coordinator Sierra Heinen said many options were considered over the summer before organizers settled on mailing food vouchers and handing out toys in a drive-thru event at the Spokane County Fairgrounds. But days before volunteers were to begin unboxing and assembling toys, Gov. Jay Inslee imposed new restrictions on gatherings in the face of rising COVID-19 cases.