Testimonials — Stories of Alzheimer's

In the sixth part of their series documenting and reporting the challenges of dementia and Alzheimer's personally faced by families, Observer Reporter looks at the life of Rudy Keron, age 74, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's seven years ago. In Rudy's case the disease progressed rapidly, and he soon lacked the ability to speak, brush his teeth, or recognize family members. For five of these seven years post-diagnosis, Keron's wife Judy, took care of him herself in their home in Washington before finally deciding to move him to the Washington County Health Center in 2012."'I was in denial when we got the diagnosis,'...

Actor and filmmaker James Keach has taken up the reins in directing a documentary of the country-music legend's life as he perseveres and adjusts to the later stages of Alzheimer's—all while still playing complex guitar chords and pouring his soul as best he can into each melody. Glen Campbell faces these trials with commendable resolve and a sense of humor that inspired Keach. The film covers Campbell's 2011-2012 "Goodbye Tour", in which he played 151 shows across the globe, but also the personal aspects of his day-to-day life with the deteriorating disease. "The film doesn't flinch from the harsh realities...