The Good Life – September-October 2020

Alzheimer's disease begins
long before any symptoms
become apparent.
although this year will look a
little different due to our current
circumstances.
This year, the walk will take place
on September 26th, and instead
of a large group walk around the
Red River, people are encouraged
to sign up for a team and walk in
small groups to raise money and
awareness. You can sign up for a
team or register your existing team
on their website.
Due to our present situation support
groups have been put on hold but the
Alzheimer's Association is available
24/7 at 1-800-272-3900 for around
the clock care and support and our
local chapter is open 9 am to 4:30 pm
Monday – Friday at 701-277-9757.
Although this disease is tragic for the
individual affected, the toll it takes
on the friends and family, especially
the primary caregiver, is devastating.
I can only speak for myself when I
write this, as a daughter to a primary
caregiver and their spouse, but you
find yourself in a constant state of
grief and guilt – wishing there is
something you could have done or can
do to make this all go away.
There has been one phrase that I have
kept with me from the very beginning
of this journey, you will go through the
five stages of grief a thousand times
before this is over.
At first, I didn't know what that meant
but three years into this disease I now
understand. There are stages in this
"You will go
through the
five stages
of grief a
thousand times
before this is
over."
8 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com