CCHC Dedicates Family Room To Richard And Anastasia Morgano

Cape Cod Health Care President Michael Lauf and Senior Vice President of Development Christopher Lawson recently honored longtime Chatham residents Richard and Anastasia Morgano by dedicating the Alzheimer's Family meeting room within the new Trachel Neuroscience Institute building in Hyannis as the Morgano Family Meeting Room. A dedication and ceremony was held on Sept. 8.

The Morgano Family Meeting Room is a dedicated space where families may receive counseling, consider information about possible care plans when a family member is diagnosed, and discuss respite care, legal issues, or anything else which might require discussion, consideration and privacy.

Cape Cod Healthcare announced the opening of the Trachsel Neuroscience Institute, a fully renovated facility providing high-quality neurological care, in July. The site offers neurology and dementia and Alzheimer’s caregiver services to meet the increasing needs for these services in the local community. Located at 1019 Iyannough Rd. in Hyannis, the newly remodeled building was funded with support from a gift provided by Nancy and Bill Trachsel. Two Cape Cod Healthcare offices have relocated to the Trachsel Neuroscience Institute: Neurologists of Cape Cod, and Dementia and Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support.

Richard Morgano, a longtime volunteer and board member of Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod and the Islands (ASCCI), said he was deeply moved and overwhelmed by the honor.

“Cape Cod Health Care’s Senior Vice President of Development Christopher Lawson came to our condo in person. He sat down with us and told us about the honor, the dedication and the ceremony,” Morgano said. “I’ve worked to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and to fundraise for Alzheimer’s disease over the years, and they felt this was appropriate. It’s a nice feeling of recognition, and a legacy that carries on. The family was very moved. It’s just such an honor.”

The Morganos first moved to Chatham in 1998. Richard became aware of Alzheimer’s disease when his mother-in-law was diagnosed with the disease in 2000, at the age of 80. Over the next six years, he and the rest of the family came to know only too well the devastation the disease brings. After his mother-in-law passed away, Morgano vowed to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families coping with the impact of Alzheimer’s disease. He discovered ASCCI, and was deeply involved with the organization from that day forward, as volunteer, board member, events chair and fundraiser. Morgano chaired the first Celebrate Summer Memories fundraising event for ASCCI, along with honorary chair Mark Novota, at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in 2011. The annual event has continued to raise funds and awareness for over a decade.

Today the Morganos have downsized to a condo in Plymouth, but they still cherish their time in Chatham. Richard and Anastasia, who now lives with Alzheimer’s disease herself, make the drive to Chatham every week without fail.

“I get my breakfast burrito at the Corner Store, and Anastasia gets her blueberry scones and tea from the Chatham Perk,” Morgano said. “We eat them at the lighthouse together. We’ve been down every week for two and a half years. What we are doing now is enjoying life, and treasuring our good days.”