HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Retired director Roy Karch is coping under hospice care following a stroke that has left him bedridden, with a group of his colleagues planning a personal visit for this Sunday, August 25, from 3 to 5 p.m.
According to a longtime friend and care organizer Jeff Mullen, the 72-year-old veteran filmmaker spends his days in his apartment sleeping or listening to music as he is unable to walk and only has use of one arm, so this weekend, there will be a get-together for friends to come and say hello.
“Roy is in really bad shape,” Mullen said, “but he finally agreed it’s time to have some of his friends and former co-workers stop by, even if only for a few minutes.”
Karch first suffered a stroked in 2011 but made a full comeback before suffering this second, more devastating stroke in March. He was hospitalized for several months before returning home.
“When Roy was in the hospital, the hope was he would make a good recovery and get on with life,” Mullen added, “but now it is known that any type of recovery is not on the horizon.”
While the medical staff wanted to keep Roy in the convalescent hospital for the rest of his life, he kept asking Mullen to get him home.
“So, against medical advice, I got my friend home,” Mullen revealed. “I had no clue what that would entail but it was really hard to see him existing in a sterile hospital setting like that and although this is a new apartment for Roy, it has some of his familiar items.”
Karch is also suffering from dementia which has made his decline all the more real, but with 24-hour caregivers, he is as comfortable as can be expected.
“Roy is truly playing out his days and for a while, he did not want anyone to know of his situation, so we kept this pretty quiet. Alexandra Silk, Luc Wylder, Scott David, Raven Touchstone, Michelle and his buddy Jan have visited, but I really don't know how many days he has left and that’s why it would be so nice if some of his friends stopped by,” Mullen explained. “You will notice the sharp decline in mind and body but he will know who you are, especially once we remind him. If you can’t make it this Sunday but still want to visit, I probably can arrange that.”
Mullen first met Karch back in 1983.
“He hired me to do some music scores for his movies,” Mullen confided. “It was like ‘Boogie Nights’ and we’ve been friends ever since.”
Those interested in visiting Roy should call or text Mullen at (323) 893-3681 or email jeff@allmediaplay.com for the apartment address, which is near downtown Los Angeles.
