When her husband Wyman was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, Ann Taylor stepped into the role of full-time caregiver — and through USC Brain Health, discovered she didn’t have to navigate the journey alone.

For Sumter resident Ann Taylor, caregiving is not something she faces alone. 

Alongside her husband of 66 years, Wyman, and the daily realities of dementia, Ann has found an unexpected lifeline in Takia Woods, a community health worker at USC Brain Health, whose steady presence has grown into something far deeper than professional support.

“Takia and I started talking a little over a year ago,” Ann says. “I felt like I could trust her from the very beginning.”

That trust has become the foundation of a friendship rooted in compassion, honesty and shared resilience.

Ann and Wyman met as teenagers on a blind double date.

“I was 15,” Ann recalls. “He was always so into sports and outdoorsy things like football, baseball, hunting, fishing and construction.”

Today, dementia has taken away much of the man Ann once knew.

A few years ago, Ann sensed something wasn’t right with Wyman. After their primary care physician repeatedly attributed Wyman’s changes to aging, Ann began pushing for real answers.

Her persistence resulted in a referral to the USC Brain Health Network clinic in Sumter, where Wyman received a proper diagnosis of Lewy body dementia and Ann found critical support through Woods.

“I cannot tell you what a godsend it has been working with Takia,” Ann says. “Having people from Brain Health in my life who understand dementia and understand caregivers — it changes everything.”

The Brain Health Network consists of seven clinical locations in underserved areas around the state — Columbia, Darlington, Lexington, Orangeburg, Seneca, Sumter and Winnsboro — that offer cognitive screenings, evaluations, referrals to specialized providers and support services for patients and their caregivers. 

When patients are referred to the Brain Health Network, they get access to a unique, patient- and caregiver-centered experience. They get a compassionate team of professionals on their side, a speech language pathologist, an advanced practice provider and a community health worker, who guide them through the experience, ensuring the proper next steps are taken and offering continuous support along the way. 

The Brain Health Network exists for caregivers and their loved ones — just like Ann and Wyman — people with cognitive health concerns who are looking for answers and some help.  

Navigating the challenges of caregiving

As Wyman’s dementia progressed, Ann became his full-time caregiver.

“I treat him more as a patient than a husband,” she says. “I have to feed him most of the time. I have to bathe him, dress him and take him to the bathroom.”

Sleep has become a luxury. Nights are especially difficult because Wyman wanders around the house and sometimes falls.

“I would like to have one full night’s sleep,” Ann says. “It’s hard to function on two, three, four — at the most — hours of sleep.”

During these exhausting days, Woods has been a constant.

“She calls me just to check in,” Ann says. “She helps me organize appointments, talks things through with me, goes to support groups with me and gives me practical advice. Just knowing she’s there makes a huge difference.”

Woods approaches her role with empathy shaped by listening — and learning.

"Ann has taught me so much about caring for someone you love,” Woods says. “Not just physically, but emotionally.”

Friendship as a lifeline

Ann and Woods often talk on the phone for an hour or more, sharing laughter, frustrations and small victories.

“Every time I call her, it feels like I’m talking to family,” Woods says.

“Takia is the sweetest person I know,” Ann says. “She answers all my questions, and if she doesn’t know an answer, she quickly finds it. She’s helped me more than I can say.”

Woods offers guidance grounded in training and experience, while Ann brings real-world wisdom to their relationship. 

"Takia listens when I just need to talk,” Ann says. “Sometimes that’s the most important thing.”

For Woods, Ann’s devotion to Wyman has left a lasting impression.

“Ann has shown me what it means to love someone through every stage of life,” Woods says. “And that’s truly shaped how I think about relationships, patience and commitment.”

A sustaining bond

Ann and Woods’ friendship is simple but powerful: a phone call, a check-in, a steady voice on the other end of the line.

In the long, exhausting days of caregiving, that consistency can mean everything.

For Ann, Brain Health didn’t just bring her medical answers, it brought her Woods. And in a journey defined by many ups and downs, that connection has become something lasting — not just support, but true friendship.