Table of Contents:
Quote of the Day
Interesting Stories This Week
7 Lessons from Lance Who’s Living with Alzheimer’s
Responding to YOU!
Put one foot in front of the other, no matter what.
Interesting Stories This Week:
Texas A&M Recognized By Fast Company’s ‘World Changing Ideas’ For Alzheimer’s Disease Breakthrough
Insurance United Against Dementia names Chris Lay new chair
Hobby enjoyed by millions reduces chance of getting young-onset dementia by 40%
Cycling Linked to 19% Lower Risk of Dementia
Can a sleeping pill protect against Alzheimer’s damage?
UK study finds small proportion of early Alzheimer’s patients suitable for latest treatments
7 Lessons from Lance Who’s Living with Alzheimer’s
At 66, Lance Kocherton has been living with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis for two years.
In that time, he’s learned some valuable lessons that he hopes can offer comfort and encouragement to others facing the same journey.
Start treatment early. Lance began treatment as soon as possible, determined to have more quality time with his wife, four children, and eleven grandchildren.
Leqembi has helped. He currently receives Leqembi infusions. The only side effect he experiences is fatigue afterwards, which he manages by taking a nap.
Retirement brought change. After 35 years of selling medical devices to hospital labs, Lance stepped back from work and into a new chapter of life.
He believes knowledge is power. For Lance, it’s better to know. A diagnosis, while difficult, opens the door to treatment and planning for the future.
There is life after diagnosis. He remains active and adventurous, with travel plans including trips to Washington and Costa Rica.
Not everyone’s journey looks the same. Lance reminds others that while some stories online focus on aggression and decline, experiences vary greatly. Each person’s journey with Alzheimer’s is unique.
Focus on today. Right now, Lance stays physically active, sleeps well, and enjoys being out and about. For him, it’s a reminder to embrace each day as it comes.
Lance’s story is a testament to hope, resilience, and the belief that life doesn’t end with a diagnosis. Instead, it shifts — and can still hold meaning, connection, and joy.
A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
Every week, we share an honest story from a caregiver — the things most people are too afraid to say out loud.
This Week’s Caregiver Story-
"My mum has Alzheimer’s, and every time I visit, she asks about my dad. He passed away ten years ago. Sometimes I tell her the truth, and she breaks down as if she’s hearing it for the first time. Other times, I avoid it and say he’s out, which feels like lying. I leave feeling guilty no matter what I do. How am I supposed to handle this without breaking her heart (or mine) over and over again?"
Harvey says:
This is such a painful situation, and one I have heard more than you think. Many families struggle with this same question: do you tell the truth, or do you protect your loved one from repeated grief?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.
What matters most is your mum’s comfort and wellbeing in the moment. If telling her your dad has passed causes fresh trauma each time, it may be kinder to offer reassurance instead… something like, “He’s not here right now, but you’re safe and loved.” That way, you avoid triggering that raw grief while still being truthful in spirit.
It’s important, too, to give yourself permission to let go of the guilt. Alzheimer’s changes the way memory and time work for your mum. She isn’t choosing to forget… her brain simply can’t hold onto it. You’re not deceiving her; you’re adapting to her reality in a compassionate way.
Some carers find it helpful to redirect the conversation toward comforting memories: bringing out a photo album, sharing a funny story, or even just sitting together in silence.
And don’t forget yourself in all this. Carrying the emotional weight of these repeated “losses” can be exhausting. If you can, talk this through with a support group or a dementia specialist, sharing these feelings often helps lighten the load.
Please remember: choosing kindness in the moment is not lying. It’s love in action.
Harvey
If something’s been on your heart lately, let us know. We read every word. Your voice could offer comfort to someone else navigating the same journey.