I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Alzheimer’s disease, and the effect it has on not just the person who has it, but the caregiver, along with friends and family.

It’s truly the most difficult thing in the world to watch a loved one just…drift away. I can’t think of a better way to describe it. They truly just drift away. One day your loved one knows you and can recall any number of happy memories you’ve shared, and the next, he or she can’t remember your name.

For me, it’s even harder to watch someone you love who has Alzheimer’s try to remember things. It’s sheer torture.

In Georgia, this year, there are 24,000 people ages 65-74 living with Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. For those 75-84, the number climbs to 60,000, and for those 85 years old and up, the number is at 50,000. That’s a total of 130,000 people living with Alzheimer’s right now.

The association also reports that the annual Medicaid costs of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is currently estimated at $1.055 million. The number of deaths from the disease in 2013 was 2,048.

And get this, there were 513,000 caregivers in 2015. Those are paid caregivers. That doesn’t even take into account the number of family members who are caring at home for Alzheimer’s patients.

It’s staggering.

I watched someone care for her mother, who had Alzheimer’s. I was struck by the love I saw in the eyes of both mother and daughter. And so I wrote this…

Mama Knows…

She falls and scrapes her knee, it hurts so bad she cries…

She stands up and runs right inside;

Mama fixes her up, makes it better,

Then looks at her with those eyes…

Mama knows…

She tried so hard at school today but just didn’t understand…

That math stuff’s hard, couldn’t get the answer to come out right;

Curled up on her bed, Mama strokes her hair,

Speaking only with those eyes…

Mama knows…

Who does that boy think he is? Did he know how much she cared?

She told him how she felt, he just walked away;

Didn’t eat a bite at supper…

Mama watches her baby girl sleep that night…

Mama knows.

Suitcase packed, the car loaded, off to college she goes;

One last look around her empty room, she sighs…

So many memories, so much lies ahead.

Mama watches her baby leave…

Mama knows…

In a dress all white with lace; a soft, snowy veil, one last glance…

Her life will change, along with her last name;

Touching her pearls she wonders if she’s ready…

Mama smiles over her shoulder…

Mama knows.

In the hospital, worn out after hours of struggle

Now forgotten as she holds her own little girl;

She smiles and thinks, “Will I be a good mother?”

Mama says not a word, just smiles, softly cooing…

Mama knows…

Years have passed, children grown and out on their own…

Gray hairs fill her hairline, and she stares at empty rooms;

So many happy memories, so much love;

Where did the time go?

Mama knows.

Mama sits in a chair by a window, watching seasons come and go…

Her memory’s long gone, and she can’t talk like she used to do;

She wonders if Mama knows she loves her, how she wishes for more time…

Mama’s eyes say everything she needs to hear with just one sweet glance…

Mama knows.

You may reach Angye Morrison at angye.morrison@gaflnews.com.