Skip to Video Player

Jacksonville Woman Mary Daniels Talks Emotional Reunion with Alzheimer’s-Stricken Husband

“Extra’s” Jenn Lahmers spoke with Mary Daniels, who took a job as a dishwasher at a Jacksonville nursing home so she could see her husband Steve.

Before taking the job, Mary was only able to FaceTime and do “window visits” with Steve, who has been battling Alzheimer’s. Referencing the COVID-19 pandemic, she admitted, “It was incredibly painful because he cried the entire time… There’s no way for me to explain that to him so that he understands.”

Of the moment she was finally able to give him a hug, Mary shared, “When I finished my first shift, I went to his room and the first thing he said was, ‘Mary.’ He knew who I was and we hugged and we both cried.”

“Extra’s” Billy Bush also spoke with Dr. Armand Dorian, who discussed how physical contact can make “a huge difference” on Alzheimer’s patients who have been isolated. Watch!

The Latest