To Help Others, One Couple Talks About Life With Early-Onset Alzheimer's

Bella and Will Doolittle were confronted with a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's for Bella, and they have decided to talk and write publicly about her illness to dispel some of the stigma associated with the disease, reports National Public Radio . The Doolittles launched the Alzheimer's Chronicles podcast, and their first broadcast in November outlined the challenges younger families face with Alzheimer's. "We're facing a lot of practical questions about finances and wills and whether Bella will keep working or retire," Will says in the podcast. "And we're facing personal questions as our relationship is challenged by this. And as we react to the changes it brings." One of the most difficult factors affecting the couple's ability to cope is uncertainty of the timeline of the disease's progression, while another is the personality changes Bella undergoes, some of which appear to initially be positive. Will has assumed control over managing their finances, which was mainly Bella's responsibility. Bella will eventually require special care, and now that she is no longer employed, Bella is arranging to take art classes and considering launching a home business. "I feel like I can go with the flow, but if the flow isn't going the way I want it to go, I'm going to change that direction," she says in the podcast.