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Jay Leno reminds us what marriage really means.
In a recent interview with Graham Bensinger, he shares what it’s been like caring for his wife as she lives with advanced dementia.
He feeds her, carries her, and stays home to be with her.
He says the first 40 years of their marriage were unbelievable.
The last five? Challenging.
But somehow… filled with even more love.
This is the part of caregiving we rarely talk about, especially when it happens to public figures.
→ Status doesn’t protect you from caregiving.
→ Fame doesn’t make memory loss easier.
→ No one is immune to what aging eventually demands of us.
Whether you’re a celebrity or a quiet spouse at home, caregiving has a way of revealing what love is really made of.
When I got married, you sort of take a vow and I, well, I live up to this, so will I be like a sleazy guy? If something happens to my wife I'm about to bang in the cashier at the mini Mart? No, I didn't. You know, I enjoy the time with Maria. If I go home, I cook dinner for. Watch TV, you know, and it's OK. It's OK. It's, it's basically what we did before. Except now I have to feed her and do all those things. I like it. I like taking care of it. You know, I do like pictures of the flash cards. Remember this thing, Maybe the thing? I asked President Obama and we had dinner. Ohh. Not me. Yeah. Yeah. Honey, it was you. No, I don't think so. Honey, it was you. We went to the White House and, you know, you have to find the humor in it. What's been the most challenging part of this? Well, that's the challenge, isn't it? You know, when you have to feed someone and change them and and, you know, carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day. It's it's a challenge and that's what it is. I mean, I think that's really what defines a marriage. I mean, that's really what, what love is. I mean, you, you sort of, if you do. I mean, I'm glad I didn't cut and run. I'm glad I didn't run off with some, you know, woman half my age or any of that silly nonsense, you know, I mean, I would rather be with her. Than doing something else.
Advocate, Advisor and Wellness Coach for Aging Adults and their Families
6dI recently dedicated a 99-Days run to Jay as he is the true example of a committed and loving caregiver.