Print
Email
Jake (Ed) Jakeman was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when he was 48 years old. He lived with the disease for 5 years before his passing. Nearly 30 years later, two of his 4 children have now been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease at the ages of 51 and 55.
Jake’s wife Paula, his primary caregiver until his passing, is now reliving one of the most difficult periods in her life. Her husband’s diagnosis did not come easy, first being diagnosed with depression - until later it became apparent that something else was wrong. “It’s scary. It’s very frustrating,” she says.
Paula is relieved that through the work of the Alzheimer Society, people now know more about the disease and have better coping strategies than at the time of Jake’s diagnosis. “I needed help. There was nothing much out there at the time. The whole family is affected. They need support and education.”
Recognizing the value of peer relationships, Paula has since started support groups at the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia in Surrey. Under the recommendation of her son, an insurance agent, she has also donated a gift of life insurance to the Alzheimer Society, explaining “I wanted to return the gift I received from the Alzheimer Society. The wonderful people I met, the companionship and support I needed.”
Paula Jakeman at home in Surrey.
Making a gift of Life Insurance to the Alzheimer Society is simple.
With a gift of life insurance, you can reduce your tax bill and make a significant contribution to ensure Alzheimer Society of B.C. programs and services continue well into the future.
There are many ways to create a legacy. To find out more, contact Susan Rae at srae@alzheimerbc.org, or phone 604-742-4930. You can also visit www.alzheimerbc.org for more information.
For more information, please contact:
Susan Rae, CFRE,
Senior Development Officer,
(604)-742-4930
srae@alzheimerbc.org
