Rachel Mummey // visual journalist
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For better or for worse (12 images)

Slideshow
  • People in rural areas are often the hardest to reach for help in terms of getting health care. Rather than seeking out health care providers because of the remote nature of their environment, they often end up with out care, and most frequently they turn to each other, their families and depending on themselves. The vast majority of care giving takes place in the home. This story is a look at the struggles of aging in southern Ohio through the eyes of Bernard and Mary Triplet. The elderly couple who have been married for 62 years live everyday affected by the harsh realities that come with the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. The disease has robbed Mary of her memory over the last five years and forced Bernard to become the primary care giver to watch over her constantly. Here in the picture, Bernard helps Mary out of bed in the morning.
    People in rural areas are often the hardest to...
  • Mary Triplet leans over while her husband, Bernard, puts her coat on before leaving the house. In her youth, Mary was once a tall woman, today she stands at barely 5'0'' and weighing barely 100 pounds. She and Bernard live in rural Ohio where health care is hard to come by. The 80-year-old suffers from Alzheimer's and her 85-year-old husband serves as her primary care giver.
    Mary Triplet leans over while her husband,...
  • Bernard Triplet met Mary shortly after he was released from the Navy in 1946. The couple married two days after she turned 18-years-old. His nickname for her has always been and still is, Bridget. The 80-year-old suffers from Alzheimer's and her 85-year-old husband serves as her primary care giver.
    Bernard Triplet met Mary shortly after he was...
  • Bernard Triplet tries to put Mary's dentures back in her mouth. Because of Mary's deteriorating memory, she forgets she has false teeth and them out thinking she's choking on food.  Bernard hunts endlessly for them because they are expensive to replace and he insists that she wear them because, "She looks so much prettier when she wears them."
    Bernard Triplet tries to put Mary's dentures...
  • Bernard Triplet helps his wife, Mary, from the car to their church on a Sunday morning in Chesterhill, Ohio. The Triplets are devout Christians and rarely miss a service, however getting from the house to the church has become a time consuming journey because Bernard has to get her ready to go and they are often arrive late. Church is one of the only regularly scheduled events that get them out of the house and into the community.
    Bernard Triplet helps his wife, Mary, from the...
  • Mary Triplet receives anointment while surrounded by members of her congregation at church. Mary suffers from severe arthritis in her lower back making it extremely uncomfortable to sit through an entire sermon. A neighbor described the couple by saying, "They are both just clinging to life becasue neither one wants to die and leave the other behind."
    Mary Triplet receives anointment while...
  • Mary Triplet watches Bernard from their truck while in town running errands. When left alone, Mary quickly becomes disorientated and forgets where she is even if she is in familiar surroundings that have been in her life since childhood. There is no other option for Bernard but to take her with him everywhere he goes because she can't be left alone.
    Mary Triplet watches Bernard from their truck...
  • Bernard Triplet helps Mary get up from the commode. She frequently thinks she has to use the facilities while other times she looses control of her bladder without realizing it. "I've got a tough job, but I love her and I'll take care of her, for better or worse," Bernard said.
    Bernard Triplet helps Mary get up from the...
  • Mary gives Bernard a kiss. She often thinks Bernard is her son and scolds him, however, he is one of her only links to reality. He doesn't want to put her in a nursing home because he wants her at home where he can take care of her. The ammount of care she requires is becoming more demanding on him and his patience everyday.
    Mary gives Bernard a kiss. She often thinks...
  • Morning light illuminates the skin on Mary Triplet's back. She is utterly dependent on Bernard helping her. When asked about it, Bernard says, " She's put up with me and all the things that I've done wrong. I just know I have to look out for her."
    Morning light illuminates the skin on Mary...
  • Mary Triplet gazes up at Bernard with confusion as he gestures with frustration trying to explain where they are. Bernard says he has lost all patience because of the constant care Mary requires. A rough and tumble man in his youth, he is now forced to be gentle in his actions with her.
    Mary Triplet gazes up at Bernard with confusion...
  • Bernard checks on Mary after she called out for him late at night. Bernard likes to stay up at night and Mary gets frightened when she goes to bed alone. The care he must provide her with is never ending.
    Bernard checks on Mary after she called out for...
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