INDUSTRY INSIGHT
ISSUES AFFECTING OLDER ADULTS
SPONSORED CONTENT
Living with Dementia
Originally from the Wexford area , Shirley and Tom Jewell relocated to Phoenix for a life of partial retirement . For nine years , Shirley continued to work as a gate agent for Southwest Airlines , a job she loved , while Tom ardently golfed , enjoying the sport nearly year-round in sunny Arizona .
Then Tom began to experience bad dreams — calling out and flailing his arms at night . During the day , Shirley noticed behaviors that were uncharacteristic of the man she ’ d been married to for nearly 40 years . In 2016 , they went to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix and Tom was diagnosed with Parkinson ’ s disease , and possibly Lewy body dementia . The disease , they were told , would not only affect him physically but he would also experience increasing dementia .
They hated to leave Phoenix where they had many friends , but their son and daughter wanted them close so they could help with Tom ’ s care .
The couple found a patio-style house in Canonsburg with a walkin shower and one-floor living to accommodate Tom as his mobility decreased . Over time , he had progressed from a cane , to a walker , to a wheelchair . Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit , and they found themselves fairly isolated .
To remedy these feelings , Shirley enrolled Tom in the Woodside Place Adult Day Services program .
She ’ d looked at a lot of options , some much closer to home , but chose Woodside .
“ There is just something about that place ,” she said . “ As soon as we walked in , we felt it . It ’ s like finding the perfect house — you know it right away .”
Shirley credited the staff , who made her and Tom feel welcome and very comfortable , and how clean , new and bright the space was for making her choice of Woodside easy . Also , she was impressed with the movement exercises , interactive large
screens , and the sensory area — a special room with stimulating lights , textures and sounds . There was also a quiet room , away from everyone , which Shirley thought Tom would appreciate as a refuge if he became tired or overstimulated .
The Adult Day Services program provides Tom with socialization that has helped him cognitively and emotionally . When he gets home in the evening , he shares news from the program with Shirley via a calendar the staff prepares that outlines everything he did during the day .
“ Adult Day has been very good for Tom ,” Shirley said . “ The kindness , compassion , and caring of ( staff members ) Tara , Tina , and Linda have made Woodside a beautiful place .”
And for her , too . Seeing how much Tom enjoys it and how it has helped him , she doesn ’ t feel guilty or hesitant to take a day to just read a book , have lunch with someone , or visit with her new granddaughter .
Shirley ’ s goal is to keep Tom with her for as long as possible . For now , it all works , and though she knows it ’ s not always going to be that way , she ’ s grateful for today and for Tom , the love of her life .
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