Caring for a loved one with dementia is an emotionally challenging experience that impacts the entire family. Individuals with the condition may forget significant people in their lives and even memories, putting their safety at risk.
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Gigi, a 92-year-old woman with advanced dementia, experienced this firsthand when she wandered off alone and became lost in her neighborhood in Franklin Park, New Jersey.
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For someone with dementia, being alone in public is dangerous, as there is a risk of getting hit by vehicles or encountering harm from strangers.
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However, Gigi had a stroke of luck when an Amazon driver named Wilmar noticed her waving at him with a wristband that displayed her name and contact information. He quickly realized her situation and called her granddaughter, Karen, to inform her of what happened.
Wilmar went out of his way to ensure Gigi made it back home safely, and Karen was able to witness the whole thing through her doorbell camera. She expressed her gratitude towards Wilmar, saying, “I felt that Wilmar went above and beyond.
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We have that type of a great close-knit community here, that if there’s something that a driver’s going to spot, that’s out of line, he’s going to say, ‘I’m going to make sure that my customers are taken care of because this doesn’t look right.’”
Karen invested in monitoring gadgets to keep an eye on her home and loved ones, as she cares not only for Gigi but also for her father who is struggling with the same condition. Gigi’s family and people online expressed their appreciation for Wilmar’s heroism and kindness, with one YouTube user saying, “This man was a true hero. To this lady, he was a miracle sent to her and her family!! God bless this man.”