The question, as all good ones, cut straight to the chase: So, what happens when the cash runs out?

The question, posed by reporter Cullen Browder of WRAL-TV, covered a lot of ground in an interview he did last week with Lo Lo, my Mom who has Alzheimer’s, and me. The response involved several backdrops:

• The costs to care for Lo Lo are staggering, eating away at her hard-earned, lifelong savings like piranhas. For example, her monthly pension and Social Security checks don’t even pay for half of the monthly rate for her to stay at Clare Bridge of Cary, a fine memory-care facility that currently charges $5,200. That figure does not include many other costly items such as insurance, prescriptions, doctor and hospital bills, clothes, food outside of the facility, hair and cosmetic needs, and many other miscellaneous expenses. In addition, each year for several months, as Lo Lo’s prescription coverage by Medicare lapses as it moves through the so-called doughnut hole,...

At a holiday celebration, Dave Simpson is reminded that despite her Alzheimer's, his mother is often having fun even if she is not living in the moment.

A funny thing happened to Lo Lo on the way to a Streets at Southpoint shoe store the other day: Several strangers at the Durham mall smiled at Lo Lo, who has Alzheimer’s, like they knew her. One woman asked: “How’s it going Lo Lo? We saw you on TV!”

Wow! As WRAL-TV reporter Cullen Browder and I hoped, “Life with Lo Lo” is taking on a life of its own.

On Nov. 17, WRAL-TV ran the first of a series and posted a new blog about my Mom, who is affectionately called Lo Lo, and her struggle with dementia. The response has been overwhelming.

Slideshow     Behind-the-scenes: Lois "Lo Lo" Shoolbred

We have heard and read deeply moving accounts from dozens of folks who have to deal with struggles involving their loved ones and Alzheimer’s. These stories are sad, enlightening, touching and enriching.

Equally important, we are being told that it is comforting to many people to have an outlet such as “Life with Lo Lo” and this blog because they know they are not alone in their struggles. People are saying they want to share their experiences in an effort to help others who face this nightmare of a disease.

Our goal – my family’s and WRAL-TV’s – is to use the “Life with Lo Lo” story as a lightening rod...