Helen Oreski
Helen Oreski’s condition as a dementia patient has declined since she celebrated her 93rd birthday at the Center in the Woods adult day care center in California Borough.
Her photograph appeared a second time in this series in the Observer-Reporter last month. She didn’t recognize herself in the newspaper and also now has difficulty identifying her relatives, said her daughter and caregiver, Marlene Oreski of Carroll Township.
“I put the paper on the table for my mom to see it. She looked at it and said, ‘This lady looks like someone I should know,’ referring to herself,” Marlene said.
With some urging from her daughter, Helen eventually recognized herself.
“Then she was so excited and just smiled and smiled. She didn’t put the paper down all day. She was just like a little child with a new present,” her daughter said.
“It’s the natural course of things,” said Mary Beth Barreca, director of the day care center.
Helen, who was diagnosed with the disease about two years ago, was all smiles Dec. 11 when she walked with the assistance of a cane and the arm of a center worker to the cafeteria for a Christmas sing-along.
She read the lyrics and carried a tune while singing the Christmas carol, “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
“She just loves being around people,” her daughter said.