Jim Herriott, 83, shows that people living with dementia can do amazing things.
He recently completed his 10,000th word search puzzle. On Friday, friends and family celebrated his achievement at Woodside Place of Washington, a dementia care community run by Presbyterian SeniorCare Network where he lives.
“It keeps me busy,” Jim said, wearing a big smile and a T-shirt that read “G.O.A.T. – 10,000+ word search.”
It all started in January 2023. Jenn Snyder, lifestyle engagement team lead at Woodside Place of Washington, began providing word search puzzles to keep Jim busy because she knew he had previously enjoyed them.
He took to them with enthusiasm and kept asking for more. Jenn Snyder supplied him with more puzzles, up to 15 per day. In addition to traditional word searches, Jim also challenged himself by doing foreign language searches and number searches.
Two years later, he hit the 10,000 mark (10,229 as of Jan. 31) and is now known as ‘The Word Search Guy.’”
“It keeps his brain working,” Jenn said.
At the celebration, the Woodside Place team gave Jim a framed certificate and his favorite candy: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Jim’s daughter, Jamie Golden, said Woodside Place has helped her father. He suffered a brain injury in 2022 that resulted in a decline in his ability to make simple decisions and manage his day-to-day routines, she said.
“Dad likes helping to tend to some of the residents here as it allows him purpose,” Jamie said. “He also loves to do word search puzzles and is very proud of the recognition that is bestowed upon his success.”
Jamie credited Woodside Place for honoring her father’s need for routine. “Dad has his strict routines, and the staff honor them to help him thrive in his environment,” she said. “My family is so very blessed and grateful for all the care that is given to my dad, as it is easily noted how the residents are priority here at Woodside Place.”
During his working years, Jim was a machinist for McGraw Edison Power Plant in Canonsburg and an auto mechanic at Pavcic Auto Shop in Canonsburg.
About Woodside Place of Washington
Woodside Place of Washington is a residential community that serves people living with dementia. It is owned and operated by Presbyterian SeniorCare Network.
When it opened in 2020, Woodside Place became Washington County’s first freestanding, dementia-specific assisted living community that emphasizes individual choice, engagement, and each person’s concept of “home.” Woodside Place also has an Adult Day service that offers social interaction and enrichment programs in a safe environment while giving caregivers time to rest, run errands, and finish other tasks.
To arrange a tour, contact us at 724.250.4981 or visit Washington.SrCare.org.
