Sophie falls asleep in her chair basked by the light of the television. Due to COVID-19 fears, as well as becoming too weak to go outside, Sophie’s days usually consist of her staying in her chair watching television while awaiting calls from her daughter Bertha, or from friends.
A photograph of Sophie’s late husband at his desk. He passed away nearly 40 years ago due to a condition in his lungs, leaving Sophie a widow.
Sophie sits in the waiting room for an appointment with her cardiologist at the University of Michigan Domino’s Farm location. Her doctor says that for her age, her heart rate and health is strong, but there’s nothing else he can offer to help her failing eyesight, hearing, and physical strength.
A cork board on Sophie’s wall filled with important phone numbers and contact information. At 96 years old, Sophie’s memory has slowly become unreliable.
Asking Sophie about her past and how she came to the United States often brings a smile across her face, but it soon morphs into a look of intense concentration as she tries to remember all the details that have gotten lost over time. Exact dates and years, as well as what job or degree she attained are details that she says are too foggy to remember.
Its difficult on Sophie’s back to bend over so if she spills any water she keeps on her walker, she uses her foot to clean it up.
Sophie applies Lidocaine patches every night to help manage geriatric chronic pain as she prepares to go to sleep. As her fingers get weaker, it becomes much more difficult to take off the plastic lining covering the adhesive. She applies her two nightly Lidocaine patches on her back, where her pain bothers her the most.
Sophie makes her way to her bedroom as she prepares for bed. Her nightly routine consists of making her way throughout the home to ensure certain lights are on and doors are closed.