Pieces of the Past – Early Alzheimer’s Disease

An estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia today, according to the National Library of Medicine. But experts fear this number could double to 13.8 million by 2060.

In this episode, Medical Stories hears from two individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as their family members who have become their caretakers.

Jim and J’Ann have been together for over 50 years, but their marriage faced a new challenge when Jim began to show early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. In St. Louis, Missouri, the couple talk about how they’ve started to adjust to the early symptoms of the disease, as well as the emotional toll it’s taken on their relationship.

And in Venice, Illinois, Phillip White Jr. has been taking care of his 82-year-old mother, Bessie, who has been dealing with Alzheimer’s for several years. Along with his father, Phillip explains how they were lucky enough to catch Bessie’s condition early, allowing them to prepare to give her the best care possible.

This episode also features in-depth commentary from renowned experts George T. Grossberg, MD, Inaugural Henry & Amelia Nasrallah Endowed Professor, Director of Geriatric Psychiatry, Saint Louis University, and Jared R. Brosch, MD, MSc, Associate Professor of Neurology, Indiana University Health.