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Josephina H.
WISE Adult Day Center
Josephina was born on a sugar plantation in northeast
Brazil on February 29th, 1920. Her birth in a leap year,
she says, is the reason she "never grows old"!
Josephina is now in a stimulating
environment three days a week .
Josephina studied law and became one of the first female
lawyers in Brazil. Her marriage to a radio operator
in the Merchant Marine took her out of the courtroom
and into a life of travel. After a six-month honeymoon
traveling throughout the world, including in the United
States, they settled in the Bronx, New York for five
years and had two daughters. In 1957, they bought an
apartment in Brazil and returned to their native country.
At first, Josephina taught Portuguese, history and geography
to students preparing for entrance examinations. Then
she embarked on a long career with the Ministry of Foreign
Relations, translating historical maps.
Retired, widowed, living
alone in Brazil and experiencing memory loss, Josephina
fell victim to financial abuse by confidence artists.
Her daughter, Tina, who lives in Los Angeles, decided
her mom needed to live with her, and she moved Josephina
into her home. At first, Josephina was able to walk
to a senior center each day to enjoy lunch. But increasing
physical frailties made that impossible, and she became
increasingly isolated, lonely and depressed.
For Tina, who cares for a child
with special needs and whose husband works full-time,
the WISE Adult Day Service Center was the answer. Josephina
is now in a stimulating environment three days a week,
and the extended hours enable her son-in-law to drop
her off on his way to work. At WISE, she especially
enjoys the arts and crafts activities, the food, the
staff - and Bob Hope movies!
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