Margaret was always the person who kept her family running. Her children described her as a “superhero” parent who managed everything and never forgot a detail.
But things started to change. For a woman who was always in control, small lapses in memory began to signal that something was wrong.
‘I knew something was different’
Lisa, Margaret’s daughter, first noticed that her mother was no longer the organised person she used to be.
“My mom has always been a superhero kind of mom,” Lisa said. “She always organised everything and knew where everything was. For her to have that little lapse in her memory was very different and I knew something was wrong.”
Margaret herself noticed the shift. She admitted she started getting confused about her surroundings, feeling like she wasn’t acting like herself anymore.
The turning point at a supermarket
One specific moment at a Costco branch stood out for the family. When Margaret returned from the shop, Lisa asked her where she had been. Margaret couldn’t remember.
Even when Lisa pointed to the pizza her mother was holding, Margaret still struggled to recall the trip. “I guess I must have,” was her only reply.
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Other family members noticed similar issues. Margaret began forgetting simple tasks, such as when she had last changed her grandchild’s diaper. These small moments added up to a much bigger concern.
Living with the disease
Alzheimer’s is a common condition, affecting an estimated 7.2 million people in the US. While many people associate it with memory loss, it can also cause anxiety, physical stiffness, and hallucinations.
Margaret’s story was recently featured in a documentary called A Road Trip to Remember. Because her own father died from the disease, the diagnosis was not a complete shock, but it was still difficult for the family to hear.
Focusing on the future
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, but Margaret and her children are focused on making the most of their time together.
The family recently travelled to Okinawa, Japan, to visit their home and connect with their roots. They want to live life fully while they can.
If you are worried about memory loss or have been affected by these issues, you can call the Alzheimer’s Association 24-hour helpline on 800-272-3900.
