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Abstract

ried for 50 years when Sarah contracted <b>Alzheimer’s Disease</b>. John worked a crab boat in Alaska and was a man of his word. Sarah raised their</i> <i>two sons and daughters, now married with children and living in other states. Their life was simple but complete. They were strong in their faith and unwavering in their love. John tended to Sarah until she needed the 24-hour care of a nursing home. John was at her side every day for hours. He played his guitar and sang to her. After a couple of years, her memory was lost and she could no longer speak. Occasionally, his songs would trigger a glimmer in her eyes that later faded as well. The kids visited regularly until it became obvious that Sarah was unreachable. John never stopped praying for the miracle that never came. Sarah passed on a cold Sunday morning. John passed on a cold Sunday night.</i></p><p id="fcca"><i>More than 6 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s. An estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in 2023. 73% are age 75 or older. About 1 in 9 people age 65 and older (10.7%) has Alzheimer’s. Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.</i></p><p id="1b7f"><i>Deaths from Alzheimer’s have more than doubled between 2000 and 2019, while those from heart disease — the leading cause of death — have decreased. At age 70, seniors living with Alzheimer’s are twice as likely to die before age 80 than those who do not have the disease. For more information, visit the <a href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures#:~:text=More%20than%206%20million%20Americans%20of%20all%20ages%20have%20Alzheimer's,older%2

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0(10.7%25)%20has%20Alzheimer's">Alzheimer’s Organization</a>.</i></p><p id="a389">More from Michael and <a href="https://medium.com/the-lark">The Lark</a></p><div id="3b44" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/totenanz-dance-of-death-102a5a10d26f"> <div> <div> <h2>Totenanz — Dance of Death</h2> <div><h3>Poetry — inspired by Composer — Franz Liszt</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*uUaITVtSe9799ryarlh7iQ.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="c1ba" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/displaced-d78820686e7b"> <div> <div> <h2>Displaced</h2> <div><h3>Poetry</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*CjkBX5QEHPbp7SyiAUvt1w.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="2b2e" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/ukraines-resilence-09b83874c5ef"> <div> <div> <h2>Ukraine’s Resilence</h2> <div><h3>A poem about war</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*XBr1C9ItFmjadW0L)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

John and Sarah

Poetry

I’m alone, All my friends are gone,

Some have passed, some are dying.

Days are far too long, I know what is wrong,

And what it is I’m denying.

Baby if you can, Give me a sign again,

Let me know if you are listening.

Just a spark of light, In this darkest night,

And I will go on living . . .

today.

The kids are doing well, Outside it’s cold as hell,

The violet fades from the heather.

I’m here for now, In this eleventh-hour,

Until I walk in forever.

Baby if you can, Give me a sign again,

Let me know if you are listening.

Just a single bell, From this wishing well,

And I will go on living . . .

today.

I’ve treasured all our love, In memories for us both,

And in the echoing reminders.

No sadness or regret, There is nothing left,

For me to claim that I’m tryin’.

Baby if you can, Hear my song again,

Then you’ll know that I’ve been listening.

I’ve packed this old guitar, Inside my broken heart,

Now I will sleep until I’m with you . . .

tonight.

John and Sarah had been married for 50 years when Sarah contracted Alzheimer’s Disease. John worked a crab boat in Alaska and was a man of his word. Sarah raised their two sons and daughters, now married with children and living in other states. Their life was simple but complete. They were strong in their faith and unwavering in their love. John tended to Sarah until she needed the 24-hour care of a nursing home. John was at her side every day for hours. He played his guitar and sang to her. After a couple of years, her memory was lost and she could no longer speak. Occasionally, his songs would trigger a glimmer in her eyes that later faded as well. The kids visited regularly until it became obvious that Sarah was unreachable. John never stopped praying for the miracle that never came. Sarah passed on a cold Sunday morning. John passed on a cold Sunday night.

More than 6 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s. An estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in 2023. 73% are age 75 or older. About 1 in 9 people age 65 and older (10.7%) has Alzheimer’s. Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

Deaths from Alzheimer’s have more than doubled between 2000 and 2019, while those from heart disease — the leading cause of death — have decreased. At age 70, seniors living with Alzheimer’s are twice as likely to die before age 80 than those who do not have the disease. For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Organization.