Love finds its highest expression not in being recognised or rewarded, but in faithful, unwavering devotion that endures even when memory fades.
It was a busy morning about 8:30 when an elderly gentleman in his ‘80s arrived at the clinic to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry because he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him.
I saw him looking at his watch and decided I would evaluate his wound myself. On exam, it was well healed. I got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.While taking care of his wound, I asked him what appointment had him in such a rush. The gentleman told me that he needed to go to the nursing home to have breakfast with his wife. I asked about her health and he explained that she had Alzheimer’s disease.
I then asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied, “She no longer knows who I am. She hasn’t recognised me in five years.”I was surprised and asked, “But you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?”
He smiled, patted my hand and said, “She doesn’t know me. But I still know her.”
Source: https://www.advance-africa.com/
Dr. Alois Alzheimer and the discovery of presenile dementia: In November 1906, German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Dr. Alois Alzheimer presented the case of Auguste Deter, a 51-year-old patient suffering from memory loss, hallucinations and rapid cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks, with symptoms typically first appearing in a person’s mid-60s. Following her death, his microscopic examination of her brain revealed abnormal protein deposits—what modern medicine identifies as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles—foundational discoveries that led to the naming of the condition.
Preservation of emotional memory: While Alzheimer’s disease severely degrades episodic memory (recollection of specific events and identity recognition) by targeting the hippocampus, neuroscientific research shows that implicit emotional memory often remains intact. Hand-holding, familiar voices, and gentle touch trigger comfort through preserved amygdala circuits, validating why consistent daily presence provides deep physical and psychological solace even after cognitive recognition is lost.
Image: The U.S. Postal Service’s Alzheimer’s “semipostal” stamp, a special type of fundraising stamp issued in 2017 to advance causes that the U.S. Postal Service considers to be ‘‘in the national public interest and appropriate.’’ Pic courtesy: Johns Hopkins Medicine.