Paul is a resident in a metro Detroit senior residence. Now 95 years old, Paul has been blind since the age of 12 years. His struggle with memory loss, as well as his blindness makes participation in many activities in his residence difficult.
Those caring for Paul strived for a way to engage him in his present. He was no longer able to learn new skills so they worked to find an opportunity to revisit skills he had used in his life. He had spent his life as a carpenter, refinishing and building furniture, so they set about finding a connection to improve the quality of Paul's life.
A Life Celebrated co-founder Traci Rusk posted the challenge on her Facebook page. She got a response from a local shop owner who offered his help.
Jay Densmore is the owner of Plymouth Furniture Refinishing, a shop that he had opened with his father. His father had recently left the business to enter hospice in Florida. Without his father at the shop, Jay found something was missing. It seemed to be a perfect opportunity to invite Paul into the shop to work with Jay. Paul would be able to enjoy time in an environment which mirrored one that made him so happy, and Jay would enjoy the camaraderie with a man very close in age to the father he missed.