Dear Friend,
My wife of 41 years, Joan, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
disease last year at the age of 62. Even though her mother
had Alzheimer’s, the diagnosis was shocking. Like most
people, we thought Alzheimer’s only affected the elderly.
Without a doubt, we’ve been on an emotional roller coaster
ride. I thank God for the wonderful services of the
Alzheimer’s Association. They have several programs
that have helped us plan for the future, which is especially
important for families dealing with younger-onset diagnosis.
Through it all, my wife is my inspiration. Long before her
diagnosis, Joan was a passionate advocate for people
with Alzheimer’s. Now that she can’t work, advocacy is her new career. And as her caregiver, my career has changed too. I travel less for work than I used to, because I want to spend as much time with Joan as possible.
Every single minute is important.
I watched my father-in-law try to do everything for his
wife during her illness, and he ruined his health – it was
just too much for one person. I’ve decided that my best
approach is to stay as healthy as possible and to seek
support services when we need them.
If I could give advice to anyone facing a similar situation, I would say get all the support you can get. Love your spouse. Ask for help. Give to the Alzheimer’s Association. They are fighting to make a difference and provide services to caregivers and families like mine.
On behalf of my wife and family, thank you for your generosity.
Al Uronis, care partner and Alzheimer’s advocate
Hudson, Ohio |
