Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Judy Keron shares a moment with husband Rudy Keron at the Washington County Health Center. Rudy was diagnosed with Alzheimers seven years ago and now resides in the center. Keron visits Rudy frequently and calls on days she can't visit.

Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Rudy Keron was diagnosed with Alzheimers seven years ago and now resides in teh Washington County Health Center. Keron doesn't talk much anymore and usually carries a stuffed animal around with him.

Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Rudy Keron was diagnosed with Alzheimers seven years ago and now resides in teh Washington County Health Center. Keron doesn't talk much anymore and usually carries a stuffed animal around with him.

Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Dr. Bruce Cotugno diagnoses patients with Alzheimer's at the Adult Neurology Center in Washington.

Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter

Geroge DeVille, Muse's Holy Rosary Parish Reverand, was a chaplain at Woodville and Mayview State Hospitals. Prior to Alzheimer's being a common disease, it was commonly known as "hardening of the arteries". Those patients with similar problems were taken care of in psychiatric hospitals before focused care of Alzheimer's patients became available.

Jim McNutt/Observer-Reporter Katie gives her grandmother, Anna, one pill at a time then makes she she swallowed it before giving another.

Jim McNutt/Observer-Reporter Time for bed. Betty grasps her mother's pants as she moves her via a walker to the bedroom.

Jim McNutt/Observer-Reporter Katie Fehl, Anna's granddaughter, gives Anna one of her many pills before lunch.

Jim McNutt/Observer-Reporter Anna lays in bed around 7:30PM waiting to sleep.

Jim McNutt/Observer-Reporter Anna gets a kiss goodnight from her granddaughter, Katie, before the light are turned out.

Jim McNutt/Observer-Reporter Anna Snatchko mixes a deck of cards but hasn't played cards like she once did for several years.