When George Gingerelli Sr.'s kids ask him about his wife, he can't remember her. That's because George has Alzheimer's. So when he sat down with his son for a StoryCorps interview, he talked about his sister and sang Italian songs, but he couldn't remember his wife. What happens when our memories begin to disappear? And what toll does it take on the family or those who care for us? We talk to a neurologist whose mother has Alzheimer's, and others whose loved ones are losing their memories.
Except for the audio from Shirley Marcuse, all interviews were recorded by StoryCorps, a national initiative to record and collect stories of everyday people. Excerpts were selected and produced by KNPR producer Irene Noguchi. During its May trip for its Memory Loss Initiative, StoryCorps interviewed people at three memory loss facilities in Southern Nevada: Aegis Living, the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, and the Adult Day Care Center.
GUESTS
Dr. Charles Bernick, neurologist and Assoc Medical Dir, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
George Gingerelli, Jr.
Shirley Marcuse
Maggie Henrichson
PHOTOS
VIDEO
Has Alzheimer's or dementia affected your family or friends? How has it changed their lives? How has it changed yours? Share your story below.