Rochester, N.Y. – There are times when love isn’t enough; when a partnership relies on patience.
Ben and Elaine Gioseffi’s relationship has crossed that threshold.
“I ask for God’s strength to help me be a good caregiver,” Ben, a physical education teacher in Greece for decades, said.
Elaine has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
“We’re trying to keep as normal a routine as we can in spite of the fact that there are cognitive skills slipping by,” Ben said.
Elaine is now one of many Alzheimer’s patients in the Rochester area taking part in a research project at the University of Rochester.
“I’m more excited than ever about our chances right now,” said Dr. Anton Porsteinsson, who oversees U of R Alzheimer’s projects.
Earlier this month, the Obama Administration detailed a national plan to prevent or effectively treat Alzheimer’s by 2025.
Porsteinsson says Rochester will play a significant role in that effort.
“We have been doing this at the University of Rochester for the past 25 years and we are part of just about every major research project, multi-center project that’s going on or coming up in the next year or two,” he said.
For Ben and Elaine, a couple so reliant on patience, the results cannot come fast enough.
“We’re hoping that ultimately the fact that she’s participating will help our children and our grandchildren,” he said.
