Labor of love

Caregiver receives recognition for her efforts

By SEAN BARRON

news@vindy.com

WARREN

For several years, Penny Pearce did everything she felt was necessary to provide the best care for her elderly mother, Ada Parsons, without expecting to be rewarded.

Nevertheless, that’s exactly what happened last month when the Ohio Department of Aging recognized her efforts by presenting her with an Elder Caregiver of the Year Award.

“I got a letter from the Department of Aging saying to come to Columbus,” Pearce said recently from her Hilda Drive home. “I was a little taken aback by it all.”

Pearce said she later found out that two family members had mailed a letter to the department touting her work on behalf of Parsons.

It wasn’t long before Pearce found herself making the three-hour trek to the Capitol Theater, where she joined 11 other Ohioans to receive the caregiver award and make a speech.

Actually, Pearce’s award was twofold — one each from the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate.

Despite Parsons’ having suffered a second stroke in 2001, Pearce was determined not to place her in a long-term care facility. The stroke caused her mother to have little use of her left arm and leg, recalled Pearce, who retired after 33 years with Delphi Packard Electric.

So for several years, Pearce, along with sisters Peggy Evans and Patty DeCapito, took care of Parsons. In 2006, Pearce assumed full-time care duties that included bathing and feeding her mother, buying her a small exercise bike, and taking her to physical therapy, doctor’s appointments and elsewhere before Parsons died Jan. 25 at age 93.

“I said she’s never too old to go to physical therapy and get stronger,” Pearce added.

Pearce also looked out for her mother’s mental acumen, in part by giving her word-search puzzle books and providing her with a large-screen TV, she noted.

That’s certainly not to suggest their experiences were devoid of fun, however.

Pearce also took Parsons to play bingo once a week and to the Eastwood Mall and on other occasional short drives. In addition, Pearce, her mother and other family members gathered and wore the same clothing each Sunday a few years ago in advance of and on the day the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl.

The last three months of Parsons’ life, though, were the most difficult because her condition had deteriorated considerably, Pearce continued. She was no longer able to bear weight, so Pearce had to lift her mother from a wheelchair and position her in bed, she explained.

“It was getting harder for her, but I didn’t let her stay inactive,” Pearce said. “I wanted to keep her as strong as possible for as long as possible.”

Even after her mother’s death, Pearce’s caregiving ways continue. For several months, she’s been looking after Evans, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“I push her, too. She said, ‘This is like being in boot camp,’” Pearce said with laughter.