43
After 18 months, family gets Jewell for holidays
By Sean Barron
WARREN
It’s been said that you reap what you sow, and it would be easy to apply that saying to Jewell Dunklin.
“She’s a loving, caring, compassionate and kind elderly lady. She’s always loving and respectful to others,” Quantina Thomas of Warren said about her 91-year-old grandmother.
You might also say the Christmas spirit fell a few days early upon Jewell, who cleaned people’s homes and worked in a nursing home for many years. That’s because she transitioned earlier this week from having spent about 18 months at Signature HealthCARE of Warren to live with Thomas at her Oak Knoll Avenue Southeast residence.
“It’s a delight,” Thomas said. “She’s so happy to be in a home with family.”
The move was courtesy of the Area Agency on Aging 11 Inc.’s HOME Choice program, which helps people of all ages with disabilities move from long-term care facilities to community settings, noted Lisa Solley, the agency’s chief of community relations, wellness and training.
“The staff worked really hard to make this happen before Christmas,” said Solley, who explained that Dunklin was injured after a fall and sent to Signature. “The agency also donated a tree and decorations.”
Thomas, a home-care provider, said she first wanted to honor God for making it possible for her grandmother to have a home. She added that God also helped her about 15 years ago overcome drug and alcohol addictions and turn her life around.
Since Jewell suffers from arthritis and is unable to walk, she also will have health-care aides who will assist with cooking, bathing and other needs, Thomas said.
Jewell probably won’t have to worry about being lonely because she likely will get to see Thomas’ grandchildren regularly and be surrounded by much love and support, Thomas continued.
Today, about nine family members are to celebrate Christmas at her home in traditional ways such as sharing a large meal, unwrapping gifts and enjoying one another’s company, she said.
Nevertheless, the biggest and best gift for grandmother and granddaughter is being together and having Jewell spend the holiday at home for the first time in two years, Thomas explained.
“It helps me to go the extra mile for her,” Thomas said. “She always liked to help others, and this is not something I’m not used to doing.”
What are some items on Jewell’s Christmas wish list?
“I’m gonna have some greens, sweet potatoes and good Maxwell House coffee. It feels good to be around grandkids,” she said.