This project was done to look at the choices two men had to make about their wives who were suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Both took different paths, but were dedicated to remaining connected to their wife.These stories show how two men, who's wives took care of them during their marriages, were committed to caring for their wives.
Tom heads in to see his wife every morning, with his lunch in his hand. He spends 12 hours everyday sitting with Nannie.
Tom wakes Nannie every morning to get her out of bed.
He helps to feed her in her room at the retirement home.
Tom sits Nannie up in a chair by the window everyday.
The staff at the retirement home comes by to fix Nannie's hair for her on most days.
Since Nannie can't communicate verbally, Tom sits with her in her room.
Tom watches as nurses move Nannie out of her room to take her for a bath.
Tom waits patiently for his wife to return to her room.
Every evening at 5:30, Tom has to say goodbye to his wife. Although she can't communicate with her she knows he is leaving.
Tom sits alone at night in his trailer before getting some sleep for his early morning.
"It wasn't easy puttin' her in a nursing", Tom says, "But I couldn't take care of her like she needed. I thought it'd get easier to walk out and leave her there every night. It's not easy yet."
Earl gets Norma ready for the day by helping her get dressed.
Often times, Norma sits at the kitchen table and stares out the window.
Earl plays with Norma outside their house.
Norma watches as Earl cooks breakfast for the two.
Norma needs help with her food and medication. Earl helps her do everything and he has to keep the house in order.
Earl still works part time repairing appliances for people. He gives his wife a hug goodbye.
Norma watches from the front door as Earl pulls away from the house.
Norma spends her days walking out the front door, around the house, and into the back door. She does this several times a day.
Norma has suffered from Alzheimer's disease for the past twenty years.
Earl gets a hug from Norma after dinner in their kitchen.
"A nurse told me if I had put her in a nursing home she'd be dead in three months. So we're gonna keep her here for now."