KAPAA — When Steve Kruger’s father, Curt, forgot how to get to the driving range, he knew something was wrong.
“It was only about 4 miles down the road,” said Steve Kruger, who is leading this weekend’s Kauai Walk to End Alzheimer’s, an event that sheds light on the disease and raises funds to help find a cure.
Steve Kruger witnessed his father’s memory continue to decline, as Curt Kruger eventually forgot every place he frequented, including the grocery store around the corner.
“They started piling up,” Steve Kruger said.
Curt Kruger, who was an electrical engineer, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s when he was only in his mid-50s. The disease progressed over the course of 15 years.
“We slowly saw the decline of a great person,” said Steve Kruger with notable sadness in his voice, as he recalled the long, emotional journey.
In Hawaii, more than 29,000 people are afflicted with Alzheimer’s, and more than 65,000 family members are caregivers. The disease affects more than 5.8 million people in the nation and a cure has yet to be found, according to statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Steve Kruger stepped in to help his mother, Jan Kruger, with caregiving at their home in California, while Curt Kruger’s memory continued to slip. Curt Kruger was transferred to a supervised home around the time he forgot who Steve Kruger was.
Steve Kruger said he remembers his dad forgetting to eat and do “normal things,” and that he’d walk around for hours on end. And when Steve Kruger visited him, they’d spend most of their time talking about the past.
“They’ll remember things from way back in the past,” said Steve Kruger, regarding Alzheimer’s-stricken people.
Curt Kruger eventually became bedridden and was moved to a full-time care facility.
“At that point, there was no more talking,” said Steve Kruger, fighting back tears. “It was a good day when he would smirk— that cockeyed smile.”
Despite the pain of seeing his father in such a condition, Steve Kruger continued to visit, reading books and newspapers to him, and watching football games together. About five years ago, Curt Kruger passed away.
Steve Kruger, who also experienced his uncle, aunt and several other family members suffer from Alzheimer’s, moved to Kauai two years ago. Besides managing Lava Lava Beach Club in Kapaa, Steve Kruger has been dedicating his time to this weekend’s event.
“Alzheimer’s is a heartbreaking disease, and Kauai families may feel powerless to help a loved one,” said Steve Tam, director of development for the Alzheimer’s Association Aloha Chapter.
Tam said that participating in Saturday’s event is a great way to honor loved ones, “and to let other families know that they are not alone in this fight,” he said.
Registration begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday at Kapaa Beach Park. The walk starts at 8 a.m. Visit alz.org/hawaii to make a donation or to register for the event.
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Coco Zickos, county reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or czickos@thegardenisland.com.
