By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading Room
Editor
Newsday (the New York Newspaper) has the best coverage, collection of stories, and video on Alzheimer's on the Internet -- hands down. It appears to me that they are doing more to educate the public, and bring an understanding of Alzheimer's into the public awareness than any other publication.
This story -- Readers reach out to Alzheimer's patients, caregivers -- like many on their website illustrates my point. They could have titled this story -- Here come the wonderful people.
"The most surprising fact about all this is how much people really care," said Karen Henley, who lives in Westbury. "Everyday people, who are struggling themselves, just want to reach out to help. I didn't think that many people cared about Alzheimer's disease, but I think Mike's age shocked everyone."
Henley, along with her two children, Courtney, 18 and Brandon, 16, has been caring for her husband for eight years. Now in the later stages of the disease, Mike is immobile and nonverbal, unable to feed, wash or dress himself. Sunday's story, the first in a Newsday series on Alzheimer's and caregiving, gave readers a look at life inside the Henley home, including the financial and medical struggles.
Readers reacted. Visits to Karen's blog have skyrocketed since the story ran. The family has already received money as well as meals. There have also been offers to come by and help with Mike Henley, walk the family dog, clean the house and go grocery shopping. Newsday has also received many phone calls and e-mails from people wanting to help the Henleys with money, food, clothes, adult diapers - even Courtney Henley's tuition costs at Hofstra University, where she is a freshman.To continue reading this story go here.
To see the Henley family go here.
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Bob DeMarco is the editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for news, advice, and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob has written more than 800 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.
Original content Bob DeMarco, Alzheimer's Reading Room
