Alzheimer’s: Not Forgotten
Photo posted December 15, 2014 in News by Alexa Lewis
Emelia Sfedu, 85, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's more than five years ago. She now resides permanently with her son George Sfedu and his family in Philadelphia, Pa. However, she rarely recognizes the people that she lives with and she is not able to hold any meaningful conversation.
Emelia mostly mumbles and hums words and songs from her native language, Romanian. She live in the bedroom on the top floor of a five-story row house. / Photo by Alexa Lewis
Emelia holds the pills that she is prescribed to relieve some of her symptoms. While current medications can lessen symptoms or delay their onset, there is no available treatment that stops the disease's progression, according to the Alzheimer's Association. / Photo by Alexa Lewis
Emelia eats alone in her bedroom, but downstairs, over 300 guests celebrate 25 years of Romanian's independence on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014. George, the Honorary Consul of Romania in Philadelphia, often hosts parties. Emelia eats a mixture of soft foods from the party that her granddaughter Larissa, 22, brings to her. / Photo by Alexa Lewis
Family and friends take Emelia to the 2014 Walk for Alzheimer's in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014. It was the first time she left the house in a couple months. In the summer of 2013, Emelia wandered outside and was found a few hours later on the roof of her son's townhouse. The front and back doors of the house are kept locked from the inside so Emelia does not leave. / Photo by Alexa Lewis
A grandson, who asked not to be named, visits Emelia during the Romania Independence celebration on Dec. 1, 2014. It was the first time he had seen his grandmother in two years. / Photo by Alexa Lewis
Emelia lies on her bed in an unresponsive daze as a grandson, who asked not to be named, checks on her during his visit. / Photo by Alexa Lewis
Larissa holds Emelia's hand just before trying to paint her nails. Larissa said although it is hard to see her grandmother's health deteriorate, as a primary caretaker of Emelia, the disease has strengthened their relationship. Emelia did not let Larissa paint her nails. / Photo by Alexa Lewis
Emelia eats soup in the kitchen while family and friends talk among themselves and prepare their own dinner. / Photo by Alexa Lewis
Emelia lies on the couch in her son's office at home. Emelia and her late husband emigrated from Romania in 1978. Her two sons left Romania for the U.S. in January 1980. / Photo by Alexa Lewis
Larissa tries to help her grandmother get up for lunch. Emelia is unwilling to sit up and insists on laying back down. / Photo by Alexa Lewis
