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- Shirley Shattuck refuses to put her mother, Kathryn Zeller, into a nursing home or adult care facility. She does this knowing that her mother has Alzheimer’s and deteriorating health. So now Shirley and her two sisters take care of their mother at Shirley’s house in Champion, New York, 2004. Morgan O’Hearn, 8, cuddles up with her great-grandmother during a visit.
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- Shirley says good night to her mother after tucking her into bed. This is just the beginning of the night for Shirley who will have to get up when her mother tries to get out of bed and wander around the house.
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- Shirley, right, her sister Betty Endres and Betty’s granddaughter Taylor Endres, 11, play bingo with Kathryn while Jerry Shattuck, Shirley’s husband, cleans up after dinner. Kathryn used to enjoy playing bingo at the village fire hall, but her health and dementia have ended the once weekly trips.
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- Shirley helps her mother drink her coffee after dinner. There are times that Kathryn is too tired or frustrated to drink for herself.
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- Shirley listens carefully as Doctor Beane outlines possible treatments for her mother’s continuing weight loss. The stress of the trip to the doctor’s office as well as being in charge of her mother’s health take their toll on Shirley later in the day
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- Her Mother’s Keeper: Shirley Shattuck, right, demonstrates to her mother, Kathryn Zeller, the hand exercises that Kathryn must do to prevent her arthritic hands from ‘locking up.’ – The Watertown Daily Times
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- Kathryn shields her eyes from the confusing surroundings while Shirley and her sister Kay Cassoni, get their mother’s wheelchair ready for a visit to the Doctor’s office. Kathryn is usually more confused after returning home from a trip.
Photo essay on families working to care for relatives at home.