Understanding Alzheimer's: How it affects the Family

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) - It's a disease that's often misunderstood and feared and someone you know and love may suffer from it.  Tuesday, we begin our series "Understanding Alzheimer’s".

Nine on your side's Andrea Blanford has one family's story of coping with the disease. 

Joe Pearsall and his wife jewel raised their two sons in eastern Carolina.  It wasn't until after Joe retired and became a grandfather that they found out he had Alzheimer’s.   

James Pearsall remembers the day he drove his dad Joe to Spring Arbor Assisted Living Facility.  "And he kind of looks over at me and he says 'yea, part I know you but I can't remember your name right now,” said James. 

It was May or 2009- ten years after Joe was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  "Just seeing somebody that was such an active social person, to not be that anymore…that's been the toughest part."

Joe's wife Jewel has been right by his side since the moment they heard the devastating news.  "It was like the world crashed in on me,” she said.  “Just thought that was the living end."

For the first ten years Jewel was his primary caregiver at their home in Snow Hill.

"Being closer I realized how much my mom was probably having to do that she was not letting on that she was doing,” said James.  “So she was doing a lot of good covering up for him."

"Well I thought it was the right thing to do at the time,” said Jewel.  “But I've gotten over that now. No need to hide anything.  It's obvious."

Jewel moved in with Joe at Spring Arbor- watching every day as the disease tries to take over.  "I'm real proud of him,” she said.  “And I want to hang onto him. Ask James. I don't want to turn him loose. He's just really a part of me."

Joe is still here- but it's the pictures that hold memories of who he used to be.

"I don't know if you can see that but he is kicked back under the car port.  -Is that how you remember him being at home? Nine on Your Side’s Andrea Blanford asked.  "Oh absolutely,” he said.  “Pair of jeans and a jean shirt on, that's him. No doubt."

Hope for a cure keeps the Pearsall’s hanging on.  "It would mean I could have my Joseph back, all of him,” she said.  “You know?  But, I'll still take him like he is. Whatever. However it turns out. He's a real special person to me."

But for now, there is no cure.   "To me the fear is just dealing with the void I guess after he's gone,” said James.  “And when you spend your whole life, I think, and my mom has- caring for him- but when she's done all that I don't know I mean- she's the picture of Christ. She's such a caring person for both him and for her family. And I can only hope I can do it as well."

James says every day he gets to see his father is a blessing, even the days when his dad doesn't remember who he is.  He says his dad was always a funny, out-going guy and while that's slipping away, that sense of humor has carried over to his grandchildren.

We'll have more stories throughout the week to help us all "Understand Alzheimer's".  Wednesday, we talk with experts leading the field in Alzheimer's research.  On Thursday, we're hosting a phone bank.  You can call in to get your Alzheimer's questions answered. 

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - Tonight on Eyewitness News 9, we begin our series "Understanding Alzheimer's".

We'll show you how Alzheimer's has changed the lives of one family here in the east.

9 On Your Side's Andrea Blanford takes us inside their struggles, their hopes, and how they're still coping more than a decade after their loved one was diagnosed.

Our series begins tonight at 5 o'clock.

And then on Thursday, we're hosting a phone bank here in the studio so you can get your Alzheimer's questions answered.