The Crisis of Alzheimer's

Ida's Story

We began noticing my mother's memories had slipped several years ago. During the 2003 Christmas holiday, we went to a hotel for their famous brunch. As usual, we all got up to visit the buffet and indulge until we could no more. I noticed my mom walking around aimlessly. As I went over to her, she seemed startled at my approach. "What do you want to eat?" I asked her gently. "Oh, you know, the usual." was her noncommittal answer.

In spite of this warning sign she and my dad continued their independent life for several more years, refusing to make the required changes in spite of our begging. As her memory grew worse, she mastered the technique of the elusive "throw-away" answer. My dad supported her deception either by design or by necessity.

Sitting across the table from her during breakfast, we chatted intently about dad being in the hospital. I had to keep reminding her that he was not well and it was serious. In the midst of this serious talk, she looked at me with clarity in her eyes and simply asked "Now, who are you again?"

With dad now gone forever my brother and I made the difficult decision to put mom in a home in 2006 where she could be watched and cared for every second of every day for the rest of her life. Her doctor confirmed she had Alzheimer’s. I called her on Thanksgiving, 2007. She was down saying no one was there and she was alone. When in fact many friends and family had spent the day with her. When I called her two days later, she did not remember any of Thanksgiving day or that I was coming to see her in a few days.

In late 2008, she did not recognize me or my brother. She had no memories of her childhood or those of her husband of 60 years. She could not recognize herself in a picture. She needed help getting dressed. The only blessing was that she did not understand what was happening to her and that she would probably die a horrible death when her brain 'forgets' how to swallow. Sadly,my mom's sister Christine Lane passed away on Feb. 21, 2008 from Alzheimer's complications. You see, Alzheimer's disease is not about just losing your memory, it is about dying. And it can happen to anyone at any age - it is not just a disease of the elderly

By 2009, her disease had progressed to the final stage where her basic daily functions are no longer under her control. She needed assistance with all aspects of life. She went on a hospice service to make her final time as comfortable as possible and to let her go on her own time.

She passed away on August 16, 2009.

Alzheimer’s is a horrific disease and is always fatal, with no known cure. The brain loses its ability to function, with loss of memory just one symptom. Eventually, patients forget how to eat or drink or breathe. In the United States about 500,000 people younger than 65 suffer from Alzheimer's, in what's known as "early onset " of the disease. One in eight persons ages 65 to 85 will be diagnosed, and half the population 85 and older will be diagnosed.

If you need help understanding this disease or are caring or visiting someone with Alzheimer's and have question, please visit the Alzheimer's Association website or call their 24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900 These are other resources:

It is too late to my mother but not for the millions of others this disease will attack over the next decade. Please give today so we can provide hope for millions more.

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Ida's Story

Alzheimer's is a disease that can strike anyone at any age. It has no cure and research is the best path for early detection, improved treatment and a cure.
My mother, Ida Arnette, died on August 16, 2009 from Alzheimer's.

This video may help you understand why this cause is personal to me and critical to the millions impacted and their families and caregivers. Please donate today.