Gene Wilder's widow says his Alzheimer's battle almost "killed" her too
The widow of the late actor Gene Wilder has called for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients to be given more credit and support. In an essay for ABC News, Karen Wilder, who lost her husband to the disease last August, praised researchers’ efforts to fight the disease. She also made special mention of the fact that the caregivers to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients are often not given the support they need.
In her essay, Wilder writes, "It is a strange, sad irony that so often, in the territory of a disease that robs an individual of memory, caregivers are often the forgotten. Without them, those with Alzheimer’s could not get through the day, or die – as my husband did – with dignity, surrounded by love.”
The essay states that one in three seniors die from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, and yet a Stanford Medicine study showed 40 per cent of Alzheimer's caregivers die before their patient, "not from disease, but from the sheer physical, spiritual and emotional toll of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's ... I am grateful that Gene never forgot who I was. But many caregivers of Alzheimer's patients are less fortunate.”
After her husband’s death, Karen has felt a sense of responsibility towards raising awareness of the disease and supporting carers. In her essay, she mentions her partnership with the Alzheimer's Association's "Pure Imagination Project,” named after her late husband’s well-known performance in Willy Wonka.
She also made mention of the Gates Foundation’s recent $100 million donation to assist with research to eradicate the disease.
Do you know anyone affected by Alzheimer’s? We would love to hear your thoughts on whether you feel that carers are well-supported in the comments below.