Serving Our Seniors Magazine April - June 2023

Finding Herself Again With the Help of her Guardian Nine years ago, Rhonda, who is age 65, was at the lowest point in her life. How? She trusted people who hurt her. That emotional hurt, was compounded by a tragic injury to her leg. In Rhonda’s words, “I was a zombie. I was dead inside. I felt nothing.” Her leg successfully healed, yet emotionally, she still lacked the capacity to care for her health. The court appointed someone to be a guardian over her in December 2014 and she moved to an assisted living facility. I asked Rhonda, how this made her feel. She replied, “I was incapable of feeling anything.” When her original guardian, retired she was assigned to Tammy Jenkins on Dec. 20, 2016. When Tammy would visit, Rhonda, she couldn’t get her to say anything beyond one-word answers. As Tammy described her experience Rhonda nodded in agreement. Rhonda said, “I wanted to talk, but I couldn’t. But I could feel there was someone there who cared.” Tammy said, “I noticed Rhonda was very intelligent. I would see Rhonda ask the nurse about the medications she was given and wanted to understand why she was taking each pill.” With Tammy’s involvement, the assisted living facility began to decrease the medications and Rhonda’s ability to function independently was continuously improving. So much so, that Tammy found an apartment for Rhonda, so she could live on her own. Rhonda believes reducing the medications was partially responsible, but it was also because she had the right people in her life, which included Tammy. “Being in my apartment, by myself, allowed me to really improve. It helped me to get things right in my head. I listened to a lot of up-beat music. I like classic rock and country music. I listened to songs that would pick me up and I like listening to songs I can relate to. I’m interested in Reiki and read a lot of that.” Simply put, you have to have the mindset. A year later, Tammy said to Rhonda, “You don’t need me anymore.” Rhonda remembers this day, too. “I was getting my feelings back and I remember feeling excited about that.” Tammy said, “I remember when the Judge revoked the guardianship. You and I started hugging and everyone in the court room started clapping. We were crying and Judge Cardwell said, ‘You are released from guardianship.” Her advice to others is two-fold. 1. Be careful who you let into your life. The people you let into your life will influence your health. 2. Push yourself. By this she means stay busy by doing something – even if it is just moving. Please say thank you to the businesses advertising in this issue of Serving Our Seniors Magazine. Let them know you saw their ad in the April 2023 issue of Serving Our Seniors Magazine and appreciate their support. 20