Alzheimer’s Disease – Patient Story
Odette and Roger live in Savièse, and have a good laugh when you remind them of their past lives, which you can imagine were eventful. At 91 and 86 years old respectively, they have been married for 65 years and have had five children.
One day, “our family doctor noticed something and sent Odette to see a neurologist,” remembers Roger. A few consultations later, they had their verdict: Odette has Alzheimer’s disease.
“I don’t remember what we thought at the time,” he admits. “But anyway, you have to not give up. “Pas capona,” to use the Savièse motto. The disease lasts a long time and it’s like when you’re up a mountain, if you think you’re going to fall, you fall.”
Now, a few years after her illness was diagnosed, Odette gets support from her husband, but also from her children. “I help her to get dressed and to go to bed,” explains Roger. Their daughter takes care of washing her. “But we haven’t asked for help from the medico-social centre yet. We’re getting ourselves organised. Especially since I still have my driving licence.”
Odette was born in France, and remembers her childhood in Grindelwald, where she was raised by her aunts from the age of two, following her mother’s death. “I remember school, loads of friends and teachers, we were always happy.”
She also smiles as she remembers her nursing college in Geneva. Her condition prevents her from having more recent memories. However, like her husband, she keeps up her good spirits: “We’re old, but we can’t complain. We still manage to do the household,” she laughs. “She also helps me with the cooking,” adds her husband. “She chops up vegetables. No, life isn’t so bad,” he smiles.
Day to day, Roger avoids leaving his wife without anyone to look after her. “I’m a bit afraid of being on my own,” she admits. “If I fall over, I can shout as much as I like.” As far as everything else is concerned, the couple “isn’t too worried about tomorrow” and they still enjoy living in their chalet in Grindelwald. “We go there alone together. We’ve been taking this road for over 60 years, and I’ve got my mobile if we ever need it,” points out Roger. “We get by.” Pas capona, as he said.