All About Alzheimer's Newsletter- Monday 2nd February 2026

Memory Air brings this science backed olfactory enrichment approach to your house in an easy-to-use device that works while you sleep.

Developed in partnership with Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology at the University of California Irvine, Dr Michael Leon is one of the world’s leading neuroscientists.

Memory Air was designed using proven science:

Only available in the USA

At 54, Melissa was doing a job she loved. Working as a respiratory therapist at The Cleveland Clinic, she was experienced, capable, and trusted. But slowly, things began to feel off.

She found herself struggling with maths and memory in ways that were new and unsettling. At first, she put it down to stress. Hormonal changes, a demanding job, and everyday pressure felt like reasonable explanations. But her husband, Kevin, sensed something wasn’t right.

Before long, Melissa was told she was no longer fit for work. What followed was six months of uncertainty — appointments, assessments, and tests — before the words neither of them were prepared for arrived: early-onset Alzheimer’s.

One moment during testing stayed with them. Melissa was asked to draw a simple clock: a circle, with numbers placed correctly around it. Instead, the numbers came out jumbled and misplaced. It was a small task, but it revealed something far bigger.

From that point on, Kevin found himself stepping into a role he had never expected — caregiver.
“It was overwhelming,” he says. “The paperwork, keeping track of appointments, setting everything up, driving back and forth.”

Beyond the emotional weight, there was frustration too. Kevin found that vital information often wasn’t freely shared unless he knew the right questions to ask. Navigating care felt like learning a new system while already exhausted.

Like many caregivers, Kevin tries to carve out moments that are just for him — riding his motorcycle, photography, small pockets of normality. But balance is hard to come by when responsibility never really switches off.

Melissa, meanwhile, made a conscious decision to be proactive. She began treatment with lecanemab, receiving fortnightly infusions over the course of 18 months. For now, they say it appears to be helping.

Their story is not just about diagnosis or treatment. It’s about adjustment, partnership, and the quiet resilience required when life changes direction without warning. It’s also a reminder that Alzheimer’s doesn’t only affect older generations — and that behind every diagnosis is a family learning how to move forward together, one step at a time.

Every week, we share an honest story from a caregiver — the things most people are too afraid to say out loud.

Thank you for putting this into words. What you describe sits at the heart of caregiving, even though it is rarely talked about.

Decision-making often shifts gradually, and with that comes a quiet sense of responsibility that can feel emotionally weighty. Many carers describe this as holding both care and doubt at the same time, wanting to protect while still respecting the person’s independence and identity.

There is rarely a single correct answer in these moments. What matters most is the intention behind the choice, and the care taken to preserve dignity, autonomy, and trust wherever possible.

Feeling unsure means you are paying attention.

You are not alone in carrying this responsibility.

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.

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