Tragedy of Alzheimer’s
Re “Alzheimer’s crisis must be addressed now” (Opinions, Dec. 15): Thank you for drawing attention to this horrible disease. Alzheimer’s/dementia are increasing in our population at an alarming pace. My bride of 63 years began showing symptoms some two years ago and now is confined at a memory care facility at a cost to me of $3,400 per month. I’ll be forced to sell our home in about three months, but whatever it takes.
No financial assistance is available at that facility; however, a limited number of counties receive “California Assisted Living Waiver,” but Stanislaus and Merced counties do not receive assistance. I have asked Assemblyman Adam Gray’s office for clarification.
My bride is/was an exceptionally intelligent lady. She wrote over 300 spirit-filled poems, but now she is not here. She is trapped in a lost childhood memory. It can’t happen in my family, but it did to the love of my life. Her memory capacity is probably less than 20 percent. In her muffled words, “I wish I were dead.” Only God knows what transpires in her mind, but total confusion must be the answer. Do I cry? You bet I do, for both of us.
Don Martin, Atwater
A big thank you to staff at Applebee’s
Wayward Ponies’ Home would like to thank the management and help at Applebee’s for hosting our Flapjack Fundraiser during the holiday season. It was a very rainy morning, yet they and those who attended braved the weather and showed up to support our equine sanctuary.
When an organization sets up such an event, the first step is a letter from Applebee’s stating, “Your organization is an important part of our community,” and we are returning the compliment here.
Lou Ann Sakaki, Wayward Ponies’ Home, Catheys Valley
This story was originally published January 7, 2015 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Tragedy of Alzheimer’s."