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 Josephina
H.
Adult Day Services
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.
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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