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Story Core: Meet JoAnn
As JoAnn was signing up for an upcoming LIFE EDU class, she suddenly said, “I want you to know that I just love LIFE Senior Services.”
She first brought her husband to LIFE’s Adult Day Health (ADH) 25 years ago and it was a lifesaver for her. He was an older spouse and developed Alzheimer’s along with several other health issues. Joanne said, “The first time I dropped him off, I felt like two cents. But, when I came to pick him up, he was busy working on an art project and didn’t want to leave until he finished it.”
After that, she felt no more guilt. Instead, there was a sense of relief knowing there was a caring, engaging program for her husband and assistance for her. “He made friends while at ADH. He needed other people he could talk to.” JoAnn was effusive in recounting how the staff truly cared for her husband which created a great experience for both of them. Attending ADH gave him the feeling he could accomplish something and be of value.
JoAnn enjoyed her membership at LIFE’s Southminster Active Senior Center and also served on the senior center board. Now, she spends much of her free time volunteering with LIFE at the airport and for the Red Cross Veterans History Project. She has helped produce over 100 videos archived at the Library of Congress; the veteran’s family also receives a copy. For her work, she received an award from the Red Cross. At 85 years old, JoAnn’s life exemplifies how, with readily available community resources, one can age and remain active, engaged, and vibrant. By supporting LIFE, your gift will continue to help Joanne, and others like her, live their best LIFE. By the way, the class she signed up for was the iPhone photography class of course.
Discover More Stories
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Meet Marybeth
LIFE’s SeniorLine recently received a call for help from a diabetic, 82-year old woman. Marybeth, had been shaking so badly she dropped and broke her blood/sugar monitor. The insurance company wouldn’t pay to replace it, and she couldn’t get through on the phone to her healthcare provider while their network was down. So, she called LIFE’s SeniorLine crying, scared, and frustrated.
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Meet Linda and Chris
What does a hard-working, new to Tulsa, single professional do when a parent needs 24-hour monitoring? Dr. Christopher Allen would say, “Word of mouth is probably the best way to find services, no matter what you are looking for. Several of my friends recommended LIFE, and I couldn’t be more pleased, honestly.”
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Meet Janet and Gil
Like so many other people who take on the role of caretaker for a loved one, Janet had no advance preparation or training. Fortunately, she was referred to LIFE’s Caretaker Support Program. “I didn’t know about senior daycare, I didn’t know about PACE. I didn’t know about any of it. But through talking to Erin (LIFE, LPC and case manager), she guided me in the right direction.”