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Jim and Kathy (above) met in high school and have been married for 50 years. They began noticing changes in Kathy’s memory and behavior. In 2022, she was diagnosed with dementia. Like many family members of people with dementia, Jim has become his wife’s full-time caregiver. As he watches his wife’s health deteriorate, he is doing all he can, including enrolling her in SMAA’s Adult Day Program.

“Kathy was always, and still is, a very social person,” says Jim. “She loves people, and as a school teacher she always loved coordinating the kind of activities she’s now participating in at the program. I feel good knowing that she’s in a safe environment, and that she’s being stimulated. It is working perfectly for her.”

“Last winter, we went to stay in Florida for the season. We went to an Adult Program down there to check it out, and it was noticeable to both of us that the feeling wasn’t right. People were left sitting on their own watching television. We ended up being lucky here at the SMAA program. It’s all about the staff and how compassionate and interactive they are with the members.”