Alzheimer’s Walk Returns to Mohawk Harbor this Saturday

October 4, 2024

Updated: October 4, 2024

SCHENECTADY — Ken Larsen, a resident of Schenectady, decided‌ to retire a⁣ little over ⁢ten years ago. His wife,‌ Leslie Thiele, was adamant that they secure long-term care insurance, a decision that would prove to be crucial in the years to come.

“Leslie comes from a lineage of women who⁤ typically ‍live to be ⁣between 90 and 100 ⁣years ⁣old,‌ while I’ve already⁣ surpassed the⁤ age of both my parents by over a decade,” Larsen shared. “I had anticipated that Leslie would have⁤ a long life and that I would ⁤require ‍substantial care.”

However, life ⁢had other plans. Thiele was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020 and sadly passed away last year at the age of 70. This Saturday, Larsen and their daughter Gabby will participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s‌ at Mohawk Harbor ‌in her ⁤honor.

“When my mother first started showing symptoms‌ of⁤ the disease, I was quite young. We⁢ all initially attributed it to her advancing age,” Gabby recalled, remembering an incident where Thiele received a speeding ticket in ‍an area‍ she should have known well.

It was during the ⁣COVID‌ pandemic that the family realized that ‍her condition was more than just the ‍effects of aging.

“Every morning, I⁢ had to remind‌ her why she couldn’t ‍go ⁢to her office, why she needed⁢ to wear a⁤ mask‌ in public, and so on,” Larsen said.

The couple’s love story began at ‍Duke University in North Carolina, where Thiele pursued ⁤law and Larsen studied computer science.

“Leslie was always positive and helpful, and⁤ she was incredibly intelligent,” Larsen fondly ‌remembered.

After⁢ tying‌ the ⁤knot in 1986, they moved to Schenectady three years later. Larsen was ⁤employed at General⁢ Electric, while Thiele⁤ assisted international‌ employees at GE Research⁢ with their immigration needs. She later joined Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, where ⁣she established their immigration ⁤and international business practice group.

Thiele ⁤was also actively involved in the community,⁤ serving⁢ on the board ⁢of several organizations, including ⁤the International Center of the Capital‌ Region, ⁤the Empire State ⁢Youth Orchestra, ‌the ‍Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County, ⁤and the⁤ Silver Bay YMCA on Lake George.

The couple adopted two children,⁢ Jamie and Gabby. Thiele even took up ice hockey in ‌her⁢ 50s, becoming a founding‌ member ⁢of the Frozen Assets women’s hockey team.

“When I turned ⁣18, I joined the team she played on and⁣ started coaching them. It was something we really bonded over,” Gabby said.

As Thiele’s condition worsened,⁢ Gabby‍ helped care for her ‍mother and encouraged her ⁢parents to move from their large, multi-story home into a more manageable ‌ranch-style home in Saratoga.

Larsen also sought support from the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern‍ New York, including their 24-hour support line.

“Sometimes they offered practical advice, other times they simply provided emotional‍ support. But we really needed it. They reminded us that we were doing our best, especially⁣ when we felt overwhelmed,” Larsen said.

He also found comfort‌ in one of the organization’s support groups, which met at the Saratoga Senior‌ Center ⁤and included‍ people who were caring for loved ‍ones at all different stages of ⁣the disease.

“The people in⁣ the support groups, and ‌the professionals,‌ they understand it. Many ⁣of them are living it or have ⁢lived it, and they were just ‌a godsend‌ to me and to my‍ family,” Larsen said.

Initially, Thiele was able ⁣to manage at home with the help of⁤ family and caregivers. However, as her⁣ condition deteriorated,⁤ she moved into a memory‍ care facility and later a nursing home. She passed away in 2023, but Larsen ⁤felt the loss long before then.

“Watching this vibrant, intelligent, caring person ⁢mentally⁤ crumble ⁤before your eyes is just ⁤heartbreaking,” Larsen said.

“Time is the enemy with this disease,” Gabby ‍said. ⁤“A friend once⁤ told⁤ me not to beat myself up about lost time because even if I had spent every day⁢ with my ⁣mom, it⁢ wouldn’t have been enough.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 7 million⁤ Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, with over 426,500 in New York alone, and 543,000 caregivers.

This year, Larsen and Gabby‍ will ⁣carry purple ⁢flowers in Thiele’s honor‍ at the⁤ Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The event begins at ⁤11 a.m. at Mohawk Harbor ‌with a Promise Garden ceremony, where participants‌ carry flowers of various colors representing their connection to ‌the disease.

The walk aims to ‍raise ‌awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, ⁢and research. This‍ year’s goal is to raise ⁢$170,000, ⁣with around ⁤500 people expected to ⁣participate.

“I like ‌to refer to the walk as the world’s largest support group because everyone who attends ⁤has a special reason for walking,” said Elizabeth Smith-Boivin, the chapter’s executive director.

Some are‌ care partners, others⁣ have ⁤been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or have lost someone to the disease.

“They all come together with a common purpose, which is the essence of a support group,” Boivin‍ said. “It’s a very ⁢emotional day, but also a day filled with support.”

To register as an individual walker or team captain and to receive the latest updates,‌ visit⁤ alz.org/walk.

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