CAREGIVING Love and Perseverance A Family Caregiver’s Story Submitted by Beth Smith When Jorge Bejarano began to show signs of dementia in his mid-50s his wife Maria embarked on a journey entailing hard work and financial insecurity, but she was energized by love for her husband and a deep commitment to his well-being. She took it upon herself to learn about community, state, and federal resources that helped her get through the next ten years. Jorge and Maria met in her home town of Parker, Arizona. They were both 18 years old. She was a high school senior working part time in an ice cream shop, and he was a farm worker, one of 12 children. “We just clicked,” she recalls. “There was a good friendship, lots of talking, then we were boyfriend and girlfriend. He was very kind and respectful of me.” They dated for two years, then married in 1978. They raised four children together. Jorge worked long hours as a heavy equipment welder and manager at construction companies. “He was a great father and provider, he was very caring for his children and myself,” says Maria. “He always wanted to protect us and make sure that we had the necessities of life.” When she wasn’t needed full-time at home, Maria held various jobs in Parker, then in Tucson after the family moved there. She was involved with the creation of the Comienzo Sano (Healthy Start) and Head Start programs in Parker,
which are still active, and also worked as a teacher’s aide at several schools. She was eventually hired as an office worker at Soreo In-Home Support Services in Tucson, which proved to be a fortuitous connection. When he was 54, Jorge called from work one day and said he was not feeling well. He went home and said he could no longer drive or remember things. He also suffered from aphasia, so he could not explain his symptoms. His primary care physician had previously warned him of the effects of work stress and depression, but it took more than two years for the health care providers to settle on a diagnosis of dementia. During this time he was hospitalized, then placed in a locked care unit which he found very traumatic, then discharged to a nursing home. He lived there for three years, and was initially confined to his bed or a wheelchair. He then began to recover his mobility and some cognitive skills, although his dementia continued. He participated in veterans meetings at the home; though not a veteran himself, they welcomed him because he had three sons who had chosen careers in the military. Maria visited him three times a day, while working and maintaining their home. The nursing home eventually suggested that he move to a more independent unit, but Maria decided to bring Jorge home instead. “He was my everything. I kept an eye on him no matter what,” she says. “He always protected me until the end, and I wanted to do the same for him.” While still at the nursing home Jorge left the building undetected and walked
to a nearby Costco looking for Maria. After she brought him home he stayed put—he didn’t need to look for her anymore. She arranged the photos and mementoes in his room to remind him of his life story life and the good times, and he didn’t allow them to be moved. Included is a framed certificate from two UA College of Pharmacy Students who participated in a clinic at Devon Gables. Ther certificate states, “To Mr. Jorge Bejarano, a gentleman whose life story tells of honor, commitment and courage. You instilled those values in your children, who have gone on to serve our country, and now you’ve helped shape two of America’s future pharmacists. We can’t thank you enough.” Maria learned about community resources while working for Sorea and attending classes there, and her manager provided valuable advice and support throughout. Due to the delays in getting a proper diagnosis, Jorge did not qualify for Social Security Disability
Page 16 | November & December 2026, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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