Question: Who is he?

At 10:04 p.m. on Feb 12, I received a Facebook post from Norma Jean Mainse from Canada, widow of the late Rev. David Mainse, founder of Crossroads Christian Communications in 1962. Norma Jean was co-host with her husband, David of “100 Huntley St,” Canada’s longest running daily television talk show. The show first aired on June 15, 1977, from its first studios located at 100 Huntley Street in Downtown Toronto. The program currently airs at 9 a.m./p.m. EST Monday to Friday on Yes TV.

I had the distinct honor of serving on the Board with David Mainse for several years while I was heading up Blue Bird’s Canadian operations. When this post showed up, it really piqued my attention for two reasons; first, I don’t see a lot of posts from Norma Jean, and secondly, it had a riveting photograph with it. The newspaper doesn’t include photos with this column, so I’ll try to describe it to you. It is an elderly gentleman, apparently from eastern Europe , clad in a long winter overcoat and hat tightly holding the hand of similarly dressed and aged woman who is apparently his wife, but who is staring back in a gaze to who knows where. If you want to see the actual photo, go to www.facebook.com/VisitingAngelsofCentralGA.

The caption under the photo was this: “He is 85 and insists on taking his wife’s hand everywhere they go. When I asked him why his wife kept looking away, he responded, ‘Because she has Alzheimer’s.’ I then proceeded to ask him, “will your wife worry if you let go?” He then replied, ‘She doesn’t know who I am.’ Then, the elderly man smiled and looked into my eyes and said, ‘She may not know who I am, but I know who she is, and she is the love of my life.’”

Wow, a powerful love story in one short paragraph! And it takes that kind of uncompromising love to care for a victim of Alzheimer’s where the real victim is the caregiver; especially a spousal caregiver.

Alzheimer’s is a disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems with language, disorientation (including easily getting lost), mood swings, loss of motivation, self-neglect, and behavioral issues. As a person’s condition declines, they often withdraw from family and society. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. Although the speed of progression can vary, the typical life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years. As yet, no treatments stop or reverse its progression, though some may temporarily improve symptoms.

In the United States, Alzheimer prevalence was estimated to be 1.6% in 2000 both overall and in the 65–74 age group, with the rate increasing to 19% in the 75–84 group and to 42% in the greater than 84 group.

With life expectancies continuing to increase here in North America, it means that there is a lot of care giving to be done, and typically, you can’t do it all by yourself. So, if you are a caregiver yourself or know someone who may need some relief from daily care giving, reach out to Visiting Angels® for help. You’ll be glad you did!

In the meantime, remember the vows most of us took a long time ago: “For better or worse, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do us part”…. and keep on holding on!

Thanks for reading All About Seniors … see you next week.

P.S.: The factual content re Alzheimer’s disease included above is taken from Wikipedia.

Bill Milby is a Director of Visiting Angels® of Central Georgia, a non-medical, living assistance service for seniors. If you have questions or comments about this column you can reach him at william.mercylink@gmail.com or search for us at https://www.facebook.com/VisitingAngelsofCentralGA/.

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