Lincoln man shares story of his mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s

Posted By: Alden German
agerman@klkntv.com

One of today’s most debilitating diseases is Alzheimer’s. It effects hundreds of thousands of Americans yearly, including 200,000 under the age of 65 who show early-onset symptoms. 

It progresses slowly, and over time takes away the identity and memory. It can place great strain on a family, such as the Ferguson family of Lincoln.

"She was really the backbone of our family," said Pete Ferguson. He’s an educator for Lincoln Public School and the disease has strongly impacted his family.

A mother of two, grandmother of four, sister, and military wife, Alida Ferguson has led a successful life. Education was perhaps her calling; Alida taught at hill elementary school for nearly 20 years and was a teacher for nearly 40. She even taught overseas in Germany. She helped raise a family that was constantly on the move and fought injustice during the civil rights and women’s rights movements.

Now in her 80s, she’s fighting a battle she cannot win.

Alzheimer’s.

"I think that’s what dementia and Alzheimer’s…it robs people, it makes them feel like they’re letting somebody down when in turn they’ve empowered so many of us to do great things," said Pete.

Alida has been in assisted living for 10 years, was officially diagnosed 12 years ago, but started showing symptoms as early as 2002. A strong, proud, educated woman, seeing his mother slowly lose the things that defined her has been painful for Pete.

"Losing some of the things that may have been your strongest assets, it can be really frustrating and it can be a real challenge," said Pete. "To see her go through that process probably was the thing that was most challenging for our family."

Another challenge was her care. When it became clear she needed assistance, they first tried moving her in with family. That didn’t make her happy.

"The most challenging thing to hear was when she said ‘I just don’t want to be here anymore because I don’t ever want to be a burden on somebody,’" Pete said.

After hearing that, a decision was made to move her into assisted living where she could have some more freedom and have care of medical staff that are specially trained for Alzheimer’s treatment. 

Despite her physical health being superb, her cognitive health as worsened over the years leaving her mostly unable to communicate today. Maybe worse of all, she is unable to remember most people she sees, including her children.

"She doesn’t know who I am or who my sister is or if my daughter comes in. There’s been moments they’ve talked about here that somebody might come in and she’ll like, she perked up and I think she knows who so-and-so is," Pete said.

Pete says it’s been difficult for Alida’s grandchildren as well. Alida has not been able to be a part of many activities as the children have grown up. Pete says that his and daughter and nieces never really had the opportunity to do typical grandmother-grandchild things like baking cookies, visiting her for the holidays, or sharing holiday meals.

Despite the hardships, Pete and his family have hope a cure or better treatment for the disease will come for those in the future who are diagnosed. When Pete looks at his mother, he sees a woman in her prime, and her memories live on in him. He encourages the same for other families fighting the same battle.

"Look at not what they’ve forgotten, look at the memories they’re giving us," said Pete.