You can’t miss Elizabeth’s winning smile. It’s contagious and is a large part of who she is – someone who makes the most of life.
When a stroke in 1995 left her with a distinct speech impairment, her smile was put to the test and her supportive family along with Hamilton County Elderly Services Program (ESP) has been an invaluable part of her support team.
“I can’t be with her all the time,” says her son Harvey. “I visit twice a week and call every day, but I also work full-time and am pulled in many directions. My sister, Jessie, helps as much as she can from her home in Maryland, including handling mom’s finances.”
When her family can’t be with her, ESP steps in. One morning each week for two hours, her home health aide, Kevin, visits to help her keep up with her Loveland condo she shares with her cat, her house plants and her painting easel which stands as a nod to her days as an artist.
“As a caregiver,” Harvey continues, “it means so much to me and my sister to know there is another set of eyes to check in on mom – it provides a great relief.”
Most of the time, Elizabeth can’t believe she is already 82 years old, and she loves recalling days gone by when her children were young or when she was working as a cardiac nurse.
She keeps in touch with family through her digital photo frame that also acts as a video phone, and she enjoys seeing family’s faces.
Harvey is incredibly grateful his mother is part of Council on Aging. “It has really been fantastic for Mom. She has lived for 27 years after her stroke. COA is truly a safety net, and it’s amazing for me and my sister to know they are there and because they are there, Mom has been able to live independently without having to a facility.”