Mid-Missouri Alzheimer’s Association volunteers share how the disease has changed their lives

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than six million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer's, which in turn, affects millions of other people.

One of those people is Columbia area resident April Cockrell. Cockrell served as the leadership chair for the 2022 Columbia Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Up until recently, she also served as the primary caregiver for her mother-in-law Sharon.

"Basically, [when] it started out, she lived by herself and we noticed just little things like she'd forget to pay a bill," Cockrell said. "Finally...we figured out she had been doctor hopping."

Cockrell said her family realized Sharon has been switching doctors frequently and was on five antidepressants.

"[We] finally got all that straightened out, got her healthier, and kind of took a step back."

Cockrell said her mother-in-law was better for a bit but around six months later, there were problems again.

Eventually, Cockrell said Sharon had some cognitive tests and scans, and the doctors confirmed her mother-in-law had Alzheimer's disease.

"She had this disease, but she did not want to admit it, which I'm sure was very difficult," Cockrell said.

Throughout the entire process of becoming a caregiver, Cockrell stressed the importance of being a voice for Sharon.

"You have to be an advocate for them because as I said, she was going to the doctor but her mind didn't have enough to quite understand," Cockrell said. "Or if it did, she fought it, because who wants to hear 'hey you have Alzheimer's.'"

Cockrell said they moved Sharon into an assisted living home in 2020 because she could no longer be on her own.

Sharon lost her fight with Alzheimer's about three weeks ago on Sept. 21.

"[While] helping someone, I've learned so much about this," Cockrell said. "There are so many resources, so many people, so much out there to help anybody who is either living with it, who is a caregiver, or if you just want more information."

Another Mid-Missouri woman whose taken up the fight to raise awareness and find a cure is Jefferson City area resident Jackie Kampeter. Her motivation and connection to the disease is her mother Fran.

"She lived with us for seven years prior to her going into a nursing home," Kampeter said.

"It's hard to see them go through what they're going through as a family member," Kampeter said. "Mom has kind of gone back into a childlike state."

But throughout all the challenges that the disease brings, Kampeter still says her mother brings a light to every room she's in and the memories they create are priceless.

"Her happy moments...taking her fishing," Kampeter said. "She's entertaining. She entertains everyone when you go fishing. Well, actually she entertains everybody every time."

Kampeter serves as a community involvement chair for the Jefferson City Walk to End Alzheimer's alongside Henrietta Lopez.

"I've been involved for about 18 years," Lopez said. "I started out as a primary caregiver for a family and unfortunately we lost him. I started taking care of a little lady 10 years ago and her name was Rita."

Both Kampeter and Lopez are a part of the team 'Mama and Rita's Angels'. As of Tuesday, the team was the number one team in fundraising for the Jefferson City Walk to End Alzheimer's with over $22,000 raised.

Kampeter and Lopez are also some of the top fundraisers on the team, each raising thousands of dollars apiece.

Although all three women have experienced different journeys up until this point, they've all come together to raise money and spread awareness for the Alzheimer's Association.

"My goal going forward is to find a cure because nobody should have to go through this," Cockrell said.

Click here to donate or sign-up to walk in the Jefferson City Walk to End Alzheimer's on Sunday. ABC 17 News will be walking in support of a 'world without Alzheimer's'.