Younger Minds Impacted by Alzheimer's
Read Sherry and Darrell's story.
Sherry Recob, CNA, CMT, dreamed of growing old with her husband Darrell Jr. She met him when she was 21 and connected with his life-of-the-party persona. Sherry relied on those memories when Darrell was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which led to his death two years ago at age 53.
Alzheimer’s disease played a leading role in Joyce Bouyear’s life and the lives of her three brothers. Both of their parents were diagnosed with the disease. First, they cared for their father, who passed away in 2013. Then, they cared for their mother, who had Lewy Body Dementia, a form of dementia that has symptoms of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. She passed in 2018.
Joyce shares lessons the family learned, with the hope they will help other caregivers.
Expected the unexpected. “Growing up, my father had an aggressive personality, and my mother was more passive," Joyce recalls. "With the disease, their personalities flip-flopped. At first, it was hard to accept, but you need to find a way to adjust to the changes.”
Plan ahead. From choosing a power of attorney, to deciding who will handle finances, to planning a funeral, Joyce encourages families to plan ahead. “Talking about the ‘what ifs’ with your family isn’t easy, but it’s important,” she advises.
Smile often. “Alzheimer’s patients read facial expressions, so look into their eyes and smile as you talk," she says. "It helps them maintain their dignity. They deserve respect and tenderness as much as anyone. If you have family that lives out of town, use Skype.”
Make family matter. “My brothers and I found ways to share our concerns, keep each other informed and make decisions. You have to have family sharing,” Joyce adds.
Ask for help. “No one is going to volunteer to help," she says. "As my dad’s disease progressed, we hired a person from a local Alzheimer’s companion care agency to spend a few hours with my dad each week.”
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Alzheimer’s disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in Clay and Platte Counties. Nearly 110,000 Missourians live with the condition. The neurologists with Meritas Health Neurology are experts in diagnosing and treating the disease.
