36 | SEPTEMBER 24 • 2020 

T

alking to Eli Cooper, 61, about his 
wife Sue’
s early onset Alzheimer’
s 
diagnosis, one can’
t help but note 
that he doesn’
t just talk about “her” diag-
nosis, that “she” alone received it and how 
it has affected her. For him, it’
s a “we” 
situation.
“When we received our diagnosis, the 
Alzheimer’
s Association social worker was 
there with us at Henry Ford Hospital,
” he 
said. “It felt like I jumped into the deep 
end of the information pool. I had no idea 
of what I was confronting. I knew it was 
incurable and progressive. I read all 30 
books (on the resource list) in two weeks.
“My curious brain wanted to know what 
I needed to know to get in the best possible 
position to take care of my wife.
”
The Coopers, members of Temple Israel, 
met on JDate and married in 2007. Sue, 
who had a longtime career in radio, was 
diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’
s in 
2013 at age 53. She is now 60.
The couple was interviewed by the Jewish 
News in 2016. At that time, Sue was able to 
participate in the conversation. But now, Eli 
speaks on her behalf. What started off as a 
hard time with recall, an inability to com-
plete complex tasks and a greater propensity 
for getting lost, Sue now needs assistance 
with everyday tasks. She can no longer 
drive, use a computer or prepare meals.
“There’
s been a requirement for constant 
supervision,
” Eli said. “It’
s through the 
graces of Jewish Family Service that have 
enabled me to maintain my position in Ann 
Arbor” as the city’
s transportation manager.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Eli said 
he feels “blessed” to be able to stay home 

and care for Sue 24/7 while also working 
remotely. Before the pandemic, Sue had 
caregivers, Helene and Sandy, who came 
in to care for her twice a day. Sue also was 
involved in art activities at the Soul Studio 
at the Friendship Circle’
s Farber Center 
and with adult Alzheimer’
s day care at the 
Dorothy and Peter Brown Center, both in 
West Bloomfield.
“She got a diversity of exposure,
” Eli 
said. “Familiarity and diversity are great to 
keep the brain engaged. I enrolled her in 
different programs so that she would have 
consistency and variety. The Soul Studio 
and the Brown Center have been absolutely 
wonderful, and we have been very fortunate 
that we have the support organizations in 
our midst.
”

A HAND-IN-HAND JOURNEY
Right now, Eli and Sue walk regular-
ly, hand in hand, around their West 
Bloomfield neighborhood. They will also 
once again take part in the Alzheimer’
s 
Association’
s Walk to End Alzheimer’
s 
Event on Sept. 26. Like many other fund-
raising events, the walk is virtual this year. 
Association staff encourage participants 
to walk where they are while raising 
funds the organization will use to fund 
Alzheimer’
s care, support and research.
Eli said he and Sue have raised approx-
imately $2,000 for Team Sue through 
August. Their team includes five to six 
members to keep things safe and properly 
distanced. Eli endorses others to support 
the cause, considering that much research 

is needed to help those with Alzheimer’
s 
disease.
According to the association website, 
more than 5 million Americans are living 
with Alzheimer’
s disease, with approximate-
ly 200,000 Americans who have early-onset 
Alzheimer’
s disease. All told, the disease will 
cost the country $305 billion in associated 
health care expenses this year.
“
As someone who is living with the dis-
ease, those numbers, as staggering as they 
are, are real,
” Eli said. “Unfortunately, we 
were chosen to walk this path, but we’
re 
blessed in Metro Detroit to have resources.
”
Eli encourages anyone who receives 
an Alzheimer’
s diagnosis to call the 
Alzheimer’
s Association, which can provide 
guidance in identifying medical and sup-
port resources as well as legal help. He also 
calls the association’
s helpline at (800) 272-
3900 if he needs prompt support.
Additionally, Eli draws upon his faith 
along with friends and family who provide 
Sue and him with love and care.
“We are in this for the long haul,
” he said 
“My North Star is I want my wife to have 
the things that I would want to have if I 
were in her situation.
“
As long as you have love and spiritual-
ity — regardless of what is in front of you 
— you can get through it. It’
s having the 
relationship that we have that helps feed my 
optimism.
” 

For information about the Alzheimer’
s 
Association Walk to End Alzheimer’
s on 
Saturday, Sept. 26, visit https://act.alz.org/site/
SPageServer/?pagename=walk_homepage.

Walking 
Strong

Eli and Sue Cooper will 
once again participate in 
this year’
s Walk to End 
Alzheimer’
s event.

ELIZABETH KATZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Health

Sue and Eli Cooper 
vacationing in Florida

 COURTESY OF ELI COOPER

