B. Smith Opens Up to Dr. Oz About Living with Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Smith details her day-to-day life with Alzheimer’s. (Photo: Getty Images)
Restaurateur, designer and decorator B. (Barbara) Smith was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013. The co-author of the new book, Before I Forget: Love, Hope, Help, and Acceptance in Our Fight Against Alzheimer’s, (the other author is her husband, business partner and primary caregiver Dan Gasby) shared an update about her progressive condition with Dr. Oz today on The Dr. Oz Show.
“I’m used to doing things, and a lot of things at one time,” stated the 66-year-old former TV host during the pre-taped at-home segment. “It feels like the air has been taken out of you and you’re not quite the lady that you were…It makes me feel the way I am right now — tearful.”
In the studio, Smith, standing along side of Gasby, was all smiles. “I’m doing great!” she said. “It’s like a whole new me. I’m feeling good and doing my best to be my best.”
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Gasby recalled a 17-hour terrifying incident that took place in November 2014 – when Smith got off the wrong bus stop in New York City and wandered around during a sleet storm throughout the night wearing a thin jacket and high heels.
“It was very scary,” Smith stated emotionally. “But when they found me, I was still standing!”
Since that frightful occurrence, Gasby insists that Smith wear an ID bracelet and has a companion at all times. He also took away her car keys, which is still an upsetting topic for Smith.
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“My wife literally can do just about anything and do it effortlessly,” said Gasby. “And now it’s hard to imagine someone who looks like her, who had this ability to do everything, now has struggles to do certain things. And I try to tell her, a friend doesn’t tell you what you want to hear or let you do what you want do — they tell you what you need to know.”
The couple, who spend their time meditating, reading the newspaper, playing word games and cooking simple meals made with fresh fruits and vegetables, plan to continue to bring awareness to this disease.
Approximately 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, where an estimated 200,000 adults are under the age of 65, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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