Chinese wife, 90, inspires millions by preserving Alzheimer’s husband’s dignity

A 90-year-old woman in Beijing is devoted to caring for her husband with Alzheimer’s disease, determined to safeguard not only his health but also his dignity.Wen Bo and her husband, who is two years older, first met as secondary school classmates. After several years of long-distance courtship, they married in 1960.Together, they raised two sons and embraced an active lifestyle for decades, engaging in activities like swimming and walking, as well as taking occasional trips throughout China and abroad.Their lives took a turn in 2023 when Wen’s husband began to experience memory loss and incontinence, ultimately receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.Rather than burden their sons, who are busy with their own families and careers, Wen chose to become her husband’s full-time carer.According to reports from mainland media, the couple rely on a domestic helper for cooking and household chores, while their children visit whenever possible.Meeting as secondary school classmates, Wen Bo and her husband married in 1960 following a years-long, long-distance courtship. Photo: HandoutAs his condition progressed, Wen’s husband struggled to remember his medication, experienced a decline in mobility, and ceased asking about his grandchildren.Determined to provide the best care, Wen taught herself about Alzheimer’s through books and online resources, dedicating each day to cognitive exercises with him, including maths problems, puzzles, and painting, alongside some physical training.Thanks to her efforts, her husband’s condition has deteriorated at a slower pace. When they go out, he can still operate his electric wheelchair independently and occasionally reminds Wen to take a break.Wen has chronicled her caregiving journey in diaries shared on RedNote, garnering support from millions of netizens.On August 23, she recounted that her husband completed an arithmetic test, taking a bit longer than usual but only making one mistake.To help delay her husband’s Alzheimer’s progression, Wen keeps his mind sharp with simple arithmetic tests. Photo: CMGWorried he might forget her name, Wen reminds him every night before bed to call her for help whenever he needs it.“He has to remember my name. I am his wife. I should be the last person he forgets,” she expressed in an interview.Further ReadingWen also encourages him to engage in simple household tasks, patiently allowing him to complete them at his own pace.She firmly believes that people with Alzheimer’s should not be defined by their illness.“Self-respect, a sense of existence, and the feeling of being needed are essential for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease,” she stated.In one post, she mentioned that she would consider hospice care if her husband’s condition significantly worsened.Pictured celebrating his birthday, Wen firmly believes that those living with Alzheimer’s should never be defined solely by their condition. Photo: CMGFor China’s younger generation, Wen and her husband’s story presents an alternative vision of ageing, centred on dignity, autonomy, and companionship.Their journey unfolds against the backdrop of China’s rapidly ageing population, which surpassed 320 million individuals aged 60 and older by the end of last year, representing over one-fifth of the total population.One online observer remarked: “Grandma Wen’s posts always bring me comfort. She shows me what an ideal later life could look like: being with the person you love while living independently.”Another noted: “I used to fear not knowing how to care for my ageing parents, but her experiences have provided me with valuable guidance and increased confidence for the future.”