Alzheimers: Who Are the Victims?

Eunice was born in the early 1900's and was raised on a small farm near a rural town in southern Illinois. She only had one sibling, a sister. They grew up sharing the farm chores and learned that hard work and strong family ties were very important.

Eunice fell in love and married at the early age of 17, which was not uncommon during that era. Two short years later they were blessed with a baby girl they named Eudena. After Eudena was born, Eunice and her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri where Eunice's husband became an Ordained Minister in a Southern Baptist Church. Through the years, Eunice was very active with her husband in the church. They lived on a modest income, but managed to buy a home and give Eudena a nice childhood. Eudina was an only child and grew up being very close to her parents.

After she graduated high school, Eudena met a man named Paul and within a year they were married. In a couple of years they had twins, a boy and a girl. Paul landed a nice job in a construction company and soon became a supervisor. Now Eunice had two grandchildren, Eudena had two children, Paul had a great job and Eunice and her husband were doing great with their church. They all lived close to each other so they were able to keep the strong family ties that Eunice had grown up with. All was well and this was the status quo for years to come, until tragedy struck nearly 50 years later.

When Eunice was in her early 70's, her husband was struck with cancer and soon died. Eudena and Paul lived near by so they visited her often and always looked out for her well being. Within a few more years Eunice moved in with Eudena and Paul. Things were working out great. Eudena and Eunice were able to stay close, as they always had. Paul continued to prosper in his company, and the twins were happily married and doing great in their lifes. Eunice was enjoying very good health and it seemed that life would go on forever. That was the case until Eunice turned 80.

When does having a bad memory turn into Alzheimers? In Eunice's case it started with just being forgetful as it does with most older folks. Then something just didn't seem right anymore. Eudena and Paul started to realize that Eunice forgot where things were and didn't remember things that were just discussed. They took Eunice in for screening and were told she had Alzheimers. There was no question about taking care of Eunice for Eudena and Paul. Their strong family ties and their love for her made Eunice's well being a priority. So for the next several years they took care of her and it soon became a 24 hour a day job. Her health was still very good and she would sometimes get out of bed at night and wonder around, or sometimes even try to leave the house. Someone had to stay with her all the time. As the years went by, it became obvious to Eudena and Paul that they would be taking care of her on into their own retirement years.

Today at 73, Paul has had several heart stents put in over the past couple of years and his own health is failing as he continues to work. Eudena, at the age of 70, continues to take care of Eunice nearly 24 hours a day, only getting a break when Paul is home from work and can stay with Eunice. This has gone on for many years with no end in sight. Today at the age of 89, Eunice's heart is strong and her overall health is very good. It is possible that Eunice will out live both Eudena and Paul.

It is wonderful that Eunice has had such good care over the years, but at such a huge price paid by two people that she loved so dearly makes it seem like even a bigger tragedy. If Eunice would have known the cost, I am sure she would not have allowed it. But for Eudena and Paul, they would not have it any other way.

Eudena and Paul's story shows us how far reaching Alzheimers can be. Everyone feels the affect of it. This story is played over and over every year all over the world. The names and places change, but the story remains the same. So many people all over the world gladly take care of a loved one should the need arise. It is something that no one thinks about until it happens to them. My hat is off to Paul and Eudena. Maybe someday a cure for Alzheimers will be available and good people like Eudena and Paul will no longer have to make such huge sacrifices as they have done.