Macomb County resident Cindy Bushe was juggling working and motherhood to two busy teenagers in 2008 when her beloved husband, Dave, inexplicably began passing out and showing signs of cognitive change.
He was just 56 years old.
After many appointments, tests and a craniotomy, the results confirmed the suspicion of younger-onset Alzheimer's in 2010.
It was not for three more years that a link was determined by his cardiologist that the episodes of passing out and cognitive decline were connected.
Essentially, the brain was instructing the heart to stop, depriving his brain of oxygen. This was happening in his sleep as well as when he was awake. Fortunately, over the years, his heart rebooted on its own.
An implanted pacemaker helped alleviate the consistency of these episodes, though his comprehension and ability to find words continued to decline.
“There have been a couple of older relatives in Dave’s family with a history of dementia, but no history of younger-onset Alzheimer's,” Cindy said. “It wasn’t something we were expecting, especially at such a young age for Dave or for our family to endure.
“The hardest thing was that Dave was still very much present enough in those early years to understand that things weren’t quite the same. So, our goal was to give him a sense of self-worth and self-confidence throughout the journey.”
A couple of years later, Cindy turned to the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter and its Care Consultation Program. Through a grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, families in Macomb and St. Clair counties can find relief and support through the program.
“The Care Consultation Program was very helpful,” Cindy said. “Alzheimer’s Association experts helped me become more knowledgeable, resourceful and understanding of Dave’s needs, as well as ours. We’d talk about how to approach the challenges we all struggled with. They also helped reassure us all that the emotions of love, anger, loss and sadness were normal.”
She added, “I wish I would have reached out earlier on, but the busyness of work, life and home was a lot at the time.”
The Care Consultation Program is a free, six-month program that supports individuals and families who care for someone living at home with dementia. It covers coping strategies, effective communication, grief and loss services, planning for the future, problem-solving and understanding behaviors.
“Care partners meet with a social worker — currently virtually due to COVID-19 — to complete an assessment of needs and desires, create a person-centered plan of care, coordinate appropriate resources and receive ongoing counseling and support,” said Alzheimer’s Association Care Consultation Director Karen Schelberg.
For Cindy and her children, the Care Consultation Program — along with help and support from their family and friends — helped them maintain focus on Dave’s self-esteem and navigate difficult decisions throughout his long Alzheimer’s journey, which came to an end on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2019.
“It’s such a devastating and heartbreaking disease that has long-lasting effects on loved ones and caregivers,” Cindy said. “The more we can do to highlight the resources that are available, the better.”
To be eligible for the Care Consultation Program, the person living with dementia must have a diagnosis of dementia and live at home (not a senior living facility) in Macomb or St. Clair counties. The caregiver also must express interest in keeping the individual at home.
To learn more about the program or sign up, please call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 or send an email to helplinegmc@alz.org.
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Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.