It's been four months since country music legend Glen Campbell passed away from Alzheimer's disease. Now his wife of 34 years, Kim Campbell, is revealing what those last few days looked like for the singer and his family, and what she hopes will come of the heartbreaking experience.
Kim was both Glen's partner and caretaker, and any as most caregivers know, the role takes a toll. "There was a time when all I could remember was the sickness," Kim told People.com.
Glen was diagnosed with Alzheimer's back in 2010 at age 74. Following the news, the country crooner set out on a farewell tour in 2012. Doctors told the family that touring and singing would be good for Glen's health and happiness. "The doctors emphasized to us that music was stimulating for the brain and it would be healthy for him," Kim said. When the tour wrapped up, Glen's condition began to deteriorate.
"There were times he'd wake up and look at me and go 'Are we married?' He quit calling me by my name a long time ago. And then, he grew combative," Kim said. "You don't take it personally. It's part of the disease. They lose their ability to communicate verbally so if you are trying to do something they don't like, they instinctively lash out." That's when doctors advised Kim to get full time, long-term help. In 2015, he moved into a care facility in Nashville.
Just before he passed away at the end of the summer, Glen reached the final stage of the disease. When the family said goodbye on August 8, Kim felt an array of emotions. "The month before he passed was extremely difficult, because it was just so sad—he declined so radically," his wife said. "There's a sense of relief for him, because I know he wouldn't want to go on and be bedridden. I actually said, 'Thank you God.' Glen died peacefully without pain."
Kim now grieves for her husband and says it's difficult to listen to his music, look at family photographs, and even glance in the direction of his closet. But she wants to use the experience as an opportunity to spread awareness for the disease and awareness for caregivers. She plans to launch a CareLiving organization in 2018.
(h/t People.com)
