'It was heartbreaking,' she said. After 10 years of caregiving for her husband with Alzheimer's, she shares her story on the couple's difficult path with the brain disease.
Long-term memory often stays in place longer. "People may remember things pretty well from their childhood or earlier life, but have trouble remembering things that happened more recently or things they're supposed to do that week."
And driving is what Rodolfo knew very well. He worked as a truck driver for 25 years at the U.S. Post Office before retiring in 2010. Cora and Rodolfo Reyes live in Daly City. Both immigrated to the U.S. from The Philippines--but at different times. Rodolfo joined the U.S. Navy in 1964-and served for 20 years. Cora moved to the U.S. in 1969.
Prior to the dementia diagnosis, their lives were like any other family. Eating out, celebrating birthdays, and even going on cruises with friends and playing at the casino. Cora shows pictures of Rodolfo participating in the "Bay to Breakers," an annual seven-mile footrace in San Francisco.Bay to Breakers
Despite her husband's diagnosis, she wanted to make the most out of life. Cora took Rodolfo to The Philippines, Amalfi coast, a Mediterranean cruise and Hawaiian cruise. Hallucinations are possible with a person who has Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association. "Also put into place people who can help with managing things that may become difficult to manage, including finances and health care decisions down the road," she said.Dr. Martin also says exercise and maintaining social connections are important, and could potentially slow down the progression of Alzheimer's.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are more likely to take over caregiving roles for an older adult compared to the general population, the Alzheimer's Association says. They are also more likely to have multiple family members involved in care or decision-making, rather than just one person. "The well-being of the person with Alzheimer's depends a lot on their caregivers. And if the caregivers are really sick or falling apart, then they both are suffering and nobody wins in that situation."
The helpline is staffed with trained counselors who could help with information understanding Alzheimer's, aging and brain health, legal and financial planning as well as info on caregiver stress and even respite care, which provides temporary rest from caregiving.Cora herself found a support group thanks to the Alzheimer's Association a few years ago. She would attend twice a month. It usually consisted of about 10 people, all caregivers asking for--or giving-- advice. Listening.
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