Seeing the Glass Half Full
Glenda Lee sees the glass half full, its contents brimming with positivity and energy. That persona comes out as she makes small talk, reminisces about life or brags on her grandchildren. Occasionally, she hits the brakes mid-sentence and says, “I’m sorry if I’m talking too much.”
Glenda’s energy, sense of humor and a solid faith help her cope with the ups and downs of being the main caregiver for her husband Jim who has vascular dementia, a condition in which blocked or reduced blood flow to the brain causes cognitive difficulties. Jim suffered a stroke in 2009, which led to the vascular dementia diagnosis. He struggles with speech and memory loss.
Glenda jokes that she has “half heimers” while Jim has “all heimers.” She knows it’s not politically correct humor, but says, “I deal better with funny.”
Jim spent his career driving long-line trucks and later started his own trucking company with his brother. The “silver fox,” which was his CB-radio handle, projects a strong, silent-type image, a sharp contrast from his wife’s exuberance.
“Jim’s always been quiet,” says Glenda who stayed at home when the Lee’s two children were younger and then worked 21 years as an elementary school secretary in Phoenix.
The couple, who recently celebrated 57 years of marriage, spend most of their waking hours together. They run errands, visit friends and family, attend church or relax at home. “We still love each other,” Glenda says, gazing at Jim who nods and slow rolls a smile.
Glenda attributes their bond to their faith, hope and the support of many friends, family and health professionals. Their son lives out of state but keeps in touch. Their daughter lives close by and is a big help to her mother and father.
One of the health professionals who’s lent a hand is Marty Finley, a Memory Care Navigator for Sun Health, who has helped Glenda learn how to take better care of Jim by taking better care of herself.
Glenda learned about Sun Health’s Memory Care Navigator (MCN) program at Grace Bible Church of Sun City, where she sings in the choir and gets involved in other church activities. Jim is usually there with her. Glenda heard Marty give a talk about the MCN program and its offerings, which are provided at no cost to West Valley families impacted by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
The navigators provide personal and professional guidance to individuals, family members and caregivers coping with the emotional, psychological and physical effects of memory loss. Support for the program comes entirely from Sun Health Foundation donors.
The navigator conducts an initial consult by phone and then visits the clients at home to learn more, assess the situation and answer questions. Next, the navigator develops a plan of care tailored to each patient’s needs. The navigator also can act as a liaison between clients and families, their physicians and ancillary community services.
Cheryl Ortega was the navigator who called on Glenda and Jim and she quickly earned the Lee’s trust with her knowledge and compassion. “Cheryl is one of the nicest people you could ever meet,” Glenda says.
“She connected me with resources and recommended seminars where I could learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s and I’ve gone to several of them.”
However, the thing that Glenda appreciates the most is the ongoing support that the navigators offer to clients. “Cheryl calls me every month to see how things are going,” Glenda says.
“It’s that kind of support that means the most to me.”
About Memory Care Navigator
Sun Health’s Memory Care Navigator program can help those with memory loss and their family members and friends to identify support, services and resources that may be helpful in navigating the dementia journey. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call (623) 471-9300, or visit SunHealth.org/memorycare.
