Interview

Recently we interviewed Mrs. L. Banks, a retired school teacher, who was a caregiver for her now deceased husband who suffered from complications of Early Onset Alzheimer’s.  We asked her to describe what life was like caring for someone with Early Onset Alzheimer’s and she responded, “It was overwhelming caring for my husband who was once intellectual and active, but slowly declined, both mentally and physically, to a state of not being able to walk and remember recent events”.  Then we asked her to describe the limitations and effects on her husband as a result of the genetic disorder; she responded, “Eventually he was constantly misplacing items such as his glasses and keys due to short term memory loss, and he reached a point where his trips and falls led to his inability to walk and perform basic tasks”.  Finally, we asked Mrs. Banks to describe the greatest challenges of dealing with a loved one who was experiencing Early Onset Alzheimer’s.  She then shared, “We were a very active couple who loved to travel, dine-out and simply go walking or driving.  I was also accustomed to my husband managing the household, so upon his illness, I had to take over many of those responsibilities while caring for him.  It was a very somber time for both of us”.

Our condolences go out to Mrs. Banks and her family.