Meet Margie: A Story of Resilience and Support with Pathways
“People have no idea how hard it gets when you get older,” exclaims Margie Pamias, one of Pathways’ Care Navigation clients. “I’ve got multiple health issues, two steel rods in my back, I’m diabetic, I have atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, and at one point was on antibiotics for 22 years straight for all these autoimmune issues!”
Now in her 80s, Margie lives alone in a condo complex in Long Beach. With a sharp mind and an outgoing personality, Margie finds it tough to accept the physical and environmental challenges of aging. After a proud career as a middle school math teacher and tax preparer, she has now become a student in a new chapter of life. The paperwork she used to help others navigate has become a challenge she now overcomes with the help of Pathways.
A Lifeline in a Sea of Challenges
Pathways came into Margie’s life after she was referred by Meals on Wheels of Long Beach. In 2019, a Pathways social worker evaluated Margie and identified her biggest needs: help with an IHSS (In-Home Support Services) application, assistance with advance care planning, and obtaining durable medical equipment like a shower chair.
Helping Clients Find Help
Pathways’ Care Navigation Program is not a full-time service for senior citizens but a volunteer-driven organization offering wrap-around services to help older adults stay in their homes. The most consistent service Pathways provides is a friendly volunteer who visits weekly for socialization and assistance with small tasks. Pathways connects clients to other organizations and resources while being a trusted friend and confidante.
In Margie’s case, she needed full-time support and help with applications. Pathways’ social worker, Kaitlin, guided Margie through the process.
“There’s a lot of strength in having a social worker like Kaitlin,” says Pathways’ Associate Executive Director Vickie Kaefer. “Our clients often face a lot of red tape with different organizations. When Kaitlin talks to other social workers, there’s immediate respect, and she can get quicker and faster results for our clients.”
A Senior and a Tech-Wiz
Margie’s technological skills have greatly improved thanks to Serena, a weekly volunteer from Pathways.
“That thing used to be a mystery,” Margie says, pointing at her smartphone. Now, she uses her phone daily and has even upgraded to the newest iPhone.
Margie is now fully versed in using her laptop. She surfs the web for pleasure and important medical reasons, logging onto her Kaiser Permanente portal to check medicines, confirm appointments, and communicate with her doctors. Offline, she uses Excel to track her blood sugar and take other important medical notes.
Peace of Mind
Perhaps even more important than the technological and paperwork assistance is the peace of mind Margie gets from knowing she has someone to talk to when a new challenge arises.
“Talking to somebody like Kaitlin helps keep me calm,” explains Margie. “I have friends my age who are anxious about their health problems. I have a lot more wrong with me, but I handle it better because I reach out for help. That makes a big difference.”
Thanks to Pathways, Margie not only has a trusted friend to talk to weekly but also an organization she can call anytime for advice. She has a network of people and organizations that enable her to live safely in her home and maintain her independence.
“I don’t feel isolated. Even though I’m living by myself, I just don’t feel isolated, and I think that is extremely important,” says Margie.
Margie’s story is a testament to the incredible support and friendship Pathways offers. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, reach out to Pathways today. We are here to help you navigate life’s challenges with compassion and expertise.