Allan and Bettina Collier have shared a lifetime together since they met in high school.

In a marriage that has lasted 63 years, the Colliers raised two daughters and have welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren into their lives.

Bettina had previously beaten cancer twice through aggressive chemotherapy.

But their life together took an unexpected turn nine years ago when Bettina香蕉视频直播檚 short-term memory loss symptoms were diagnosed as Alzheimer香蕉视频直播檚 disease.

At the time, the Colliers were referred by their doctor to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. office in Kelowna, which has become a source of both information and support to help Allan and Bettina make adjustments in their lives brought on by the disease.

Today, the love they share together has grown stronger, and their focus is living an active lifestyle while adjusting to the realities of Alzheimer香蕉视频直播檚.

香蕉视频直播淚 used to golf two or three times a week but I stopped because that is about a six-hour turnaround in time, and that香蕉视频直播檚 a bit too long for Bettina to be alone during a day,香蕉视频直播� Allan said.

香蕉视频直播淪o now I do other things like shoot pool and play bridge. Those activities don香蕉视频直播檛 take as long.香蕉视频直播�

For Bettina, her husband has become her caregiver, helping her overcome her limitations.

She loves to bake but needs Allan present now to make sure she doesn香蕉视频直播檛 forget any steps in the process. She can香蕉视频直播檛 drive a vehicle anymore. She can go for short walks on her own near her house but avoids striking out beyond that, like venturing downtown on her own.

She spends time everyday working on word search and word hunt books to exercise her mind, and they both attend the Minds In Motion fitness and social program organized by the Alzheimer香蕉视频直播檚 Society every Monday.

香蕉视频直播淚t helps to have the support and Allan is a wonderful, wonderful husband. I wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 change him for the world,香蕉视频直播� Bettina said.

香蕉视频直播淔rom day to day I don香蕉视频直播檛 really feel a difference because of Alzheimer香蕉视频直播檚. I try not to think about it because if I do, it makes me upset and not to happy.香蕉视频直播�

Allan summarizes their life today this way: 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e continuing a journey together and we keep looking at the bright side of life. That香蕉视频直播檚 all we can do. We香蕉视频直播檝e never really had a bad moment.香蕉视频直播�

He was invited to speak about his role as an Alzheimer香蕉视频直播檚 caregiver at the kick-off launch event on Monday for the annual Kelowna Investors Group Walk for Alzheimer香蕉视频直播檚 fundraiser on Sunday, May 6, at City Park. The Colliers are walk honourees for this year香蕉视频直播檚 event.

The walk and other fundraisers remain critical to financially support Alzheimer香蕉视频直播檚 Society programs, which Allan says are an important resource for caregivers.

香蕉视频直播淭he society has been very helpful with our situation. They help both the caregiver and the person who has Alzheimer香蕉视频直播檚,香蕉视频直播� Allan said.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 really hard to deal with this all on your own.香蕉视频直播�

Mary Mandarino, a West Kelowna resident and chair of the upcoming Alzheimer香蕉视频直播檚 Walk, says husbands becoming caregivers for their wives stricken with dementia is becoming more common.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a reversal of the traditional role model where the wife and mother is typically in the caregiver role,香蕉视频直播� Mandarino said.

香蕉视频直播淣ow all of a sudden men find themselves increasingly in that caregiver position. That香蕉视频直播檚 been a bit of an education for me to learn that. I never thought about it until I started to meet men caregivers serving that role.香蕉视频直播�

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

barry.gerding@blackpress.ca
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