Will Needleman leans in to give his wife Mildred some affection while trying to coax her into eating lunch. Mildred is in the late stages of Alzheimer's Disease and does not remember much anymore.
Will Needleman is still deeply in love with his wife Mildred, but misses having a companion to talk to now that her Alzheimer's has gotten much worse. "I never cried before in my life. I cry a lot now. And I'm not sure whether it's for what she has become or because what it's doing to me," Will said.
Will Needleman and his wife Mildred have been married for 65 years. Since her diagnosis with Alzheimer's, he has become increasingly lonely and misses carrying on meaningful conversation.
The Needlemans have a caretaker, Colleen Pappas, that stays during the day while their daughter is at work. Colleen tries to make sure Mildred gets out for a walk every day.
Will and Mildred have a board of photos and mementos hanging in their dining room, including an invitation from their 50th wedding anniversary. They just celebrated their 65th anniversary in December 2014.
The Cost of Alzheimer's: The Needlemans
Will Needleman shares his difficulties dealing with his wife Mildred's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease.
Joe Pre-Genzer looks out over the parking lot at the south Fort Myers condo he shares with his wife Kate. Since he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he has had to give up driving and goes everywhere with Kate, preferring not to be alone.
Kate Pre-Genzer goes through an old trunk of mementos so that she can sell the trunk at a community yard sale. She tries to save money where she can since she and her husband Joe are on a fixed income.
After eating their lunch, Kate and Joe Pre-Genzer sit together watching TV. Joe does sudoku while Kate checks email on her tablet.
Kate is unsure what Joe knows or thinks about his disease. He just tells her he has a bad memory.
Kate and Joe on their R.V. trip in 2002. Kate made 2003 a calendar with photos from the trip and gave it to Joe. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2013.
The Cost of Alzheimer's: The Pre-Genzers
Kate Pre-Genzer speaks about her husband Joe's Alzheimer's diagnosis.
Stuart Hodes visits his wife Helen, who has Alzheimer's. They live in the same facility, but Stu has a private apartment and Helen is in the secure nursing area. He spends more than $20,000 a month for her care and his apartment.
Stuart Hodes feeds his wife Helen during one of their afternoon visits. Helen is in the end stage of Alzheimer's disease.
A collage of photos hangs in Helen's room to remind her of her younger days.
The Cost of Alzheimer's: Stu Hodes
Stuart Hodes talks about caring for his wife, Helen, who has late-stage Alzheimer's.
Florence Muchnick gets a goodbye kiss from her grandson Ryan after a visit on Christmas Eve. Muchnick, who has Alzheimer's, lives in a nursing facility in Fort Myers.
An Bacheler, left, looks for her mother Florence Muchnick's makeup while visiting on Christmas Eve. Muchnick, who retired a millionaire, used to live in a nice assisted living facility, but has run out of money. She now has Medicaid.
Florence Muchnick smiles after receiving gifts from her daughter and grandson on Christmas Eve.
Florence Muchnick in her younger years.
The Cost of Alzheimer's: Florence Muchnick
An Bacheler talks about her mother Florence Muchnick's Alzheimer's diagnosis and its impact on their family.
The Cost of Alzheimer's
Reporter Frank Gluck and I interviewed five families affected by Alzheimer's disease and documented their struggles. The toll was evident, both financially and emotionally.