Alzheimer's on Long Island: The Garzeros

A family photo of Edward Garzero during the early years of his life, with the family pet, before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, Edward Garzero of Center Moriches still enjoys reading the newspaper with his wife, Harriet, nearby. (Nov. 28, 2007)

Edward Garzero and his wife, Harriet, look at photos in the living room of their Center Moriches home. (Sept. 2, 2009)

At home in Center Moriches, Harriet Garzero tidies the kitchen while her husband, Edward, reads the newspaper in the dining room. Social activities and support groups keep them busy and help them deal with Edward's advancing Alzheimer's disease. (Sept. 2, 2009)

Harriet and Edward Garzero reminisce as they look at old photos. (Sept. 2, 2009)

Edward Garzero , whose Alzheimer's disease has progressed slowly, relaxes in the living room of his Center Moriches home. (Sept. 2, 2009)

Edward Garzero has many medications for various physical ailments, including Alzheimer's. (Nov. 28, 2007)

Harriet Garzero removes the laundry from the clothesline. She has taken on more tasks and chores since her husband's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease. (Sept. 2, 2009)

Her children are amazed, says Harriet Garzero, about how she does more and more to keep life moving forward despite her husband Edward's struggle with Alzheimer's. (Sept. 2, 2009)

Harriet Garzero, center, takes a break from chores and enjoys a spare moment with her husband, Edward, and his home health aide. (Sept. 2, 2009)

Harriet Garzero and her husband, Edward, far right, enjoy an evening with three of their four children, from left, Maria, Joe and Peter. Maria says the slow progression of her father's Alzheimer's disease leaves them caught between gratitude and denial. (Sept. 5, 2009)

Peter Garzero, left, helps his father, Edward, get up from his chair after enjoying an evening with three of his four children. Peter, who lives in Middle Island, has been checking in on his parents about once a week since his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis. (Sept. 5, 2009)

Sharing Labor Day weekend with three of their four children, Edward Garzero and his wife, Harriet, sit in the living room of their Center Moriches home. (Sept. 5, 2009)

Edward Garzero gets a hug from his home health aide as she departs on afternoon. (Sept. 2, 2009)

Peter Garzero hugs his mom, Harriet, after a family dinner at his parent's home in Center Moriches. Edward Garzero, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease makes his way down the hall. (Sept. 5, 2009)