Bethany couple proactively fight younger-onset Alzheimer’s

Splitting their time between Florida and the Delaware beaches, Frank and Tara Coates are active young retirees who, at first glance, seem to have it all – flexibility, time to travel, two grown children and close friends. What people might not know is that one of them is living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Tara, age 60, was diagnosed a number of years ago with adult ADHD and prescribed medication to manage the symptoms. Frank, who has known his wife since college, felt this wasn’t the true source of his wife’s challenges. “She was forgetting,” he said. “Focus was not the issue.”

Over the next few years, Frank and Tara discussed her symptoms but Tara wasn’t ready to face an uncertain future that might mean losing her independence. Tara was eventually evaluated, tested and diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s last year at age 58. There are currently 200,000 people living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s in the United States. Younger-onset dementia, also known as early onset dementia, is a term used to describe dementia that is diagnosed in someone under the age of 65 and impacts activities of daily life.

Upon receiving the diagnosis, the couple went through the normal stages of grieving together and eventually landed on a hopeful outlook and proactive plan of action. “We’re too young and healthy, and this shouldn’t define the rest of our lives,” Frank said.

Frank, Tara and the family jumped in with both feet on a journey to accept and manage the diagnosis. They got educated about the disease and became connected with the Alzheimer’s Association through Tara’s sister, Kim, who reached out to find a local support group. The Rehoboth Beach Walk to End Alzheimer’s was being held shortly after Tara’s diagnosis, so the family registered Team Tara and began the work of raising awareness and funds. Frank is also a member of the Rehoboth walk executive leadership team through which he drives community outreach and engagement. “I’m focused on creating more awareness in our community and also getting young people engaged and involved with the walk and with the Alzheimer’s Association as a whole,” he said.

Frank and Tara have also adopted what Frank refers to as radical lifestyle changes, as supported by Tara’s medical team. Their four daily priorities – some of which are part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s evidence-based 10 healthy habits – consist of healthy eating, supplementation, social engagement and exercise/meditation. “We always ate healthfully, but we have made this a daily focus,” said Frank. “We’ve stepped up our exercise to include yoga, stretching, swimming, rowing and hiking. Tara is also busy with painting, socializing with friends, and she has grown and maintained a garden which is the envy of the neighborhood.”

During this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Frank and Tara will participate in the promise garden ceremony and will hold the flowers that signify their individual connection to the disease. Frank will hold up a yellow flower, which symbolizes caregivers/partners. Tara will hold a blue flower to bring awareness to all those currently on the disease journey.

Frank’s advice to those who may be noticing cognitive changes in themselves and others is profound in its simplicity. “If you see warning signs, you should do something about it. Speak to your doctor. Get tested if necessary,” he said. “Alzheimer’s disease is not the only possible diagnosis. And there are proactive things you can do. And never forget, there is hope.”

The 2024 Rehoboth Beach Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, in Grove Park at Columbia Avenue and Grove Street. Registration opens at 8 a.m., with the promise garden ceremony starting at 9 a.m. To register, go to act.alz.org/rehobothbeach. For more information, go to alz.org or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.