A daughter reflects on two decades of caring for her mother with Alzheimer's

Karen Finocchio and her father acted as primary caregivers for Louise Finocchio for 20 years after she received an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis at age 58.

Finocchio and her father noted that the disease first appeared when Louise was 54. Because Louise was a detail-oriented interior designer, the family noticed her losing her business sense and missing payments before they sought medical help. Finocchio pushed for a diagnosis after a primary care provider initially attributed the symptoms to menopause.

The formal diagnosis in 1995 allowed the family to begin planning for the progression of the disease. The family learned to manage the unpredictable nature of the condition as Louise experienced periods of decline and plateau. Finocchio admitted to making mistakes by correcting her mother's memory, which caused Louise to become defensive. She later learned from doctors that these behaviors were caused by the disease rather than her mother's personality.

The family also learned to identify physical signs of agitation to ensure everyone's safety during aggressive episodes. Louise participated in clinical trials and a study on electroconvulsive therapy at Tufts Medical Center to manage combative behavior. These treatments helped restore Louise's joy and smile, allowing her to attend Finocchio's wedding in 2006. Finocchio now works to raise awareness for the Alzheimer's Association and promotes the importance of trusting a professional care team.