Alzheimerโs and dementia can be some of the most painful things to happen to a loved one. But while their minds might not remember a lot of things, their hearts can often store some memories themselves.
Louisiana senior Gene McGehee suffers from dementia and is visited by day care kids every day.
The 91-year-old has a rather severe case of it as his memory resets almost every 15 minutes.
Gene canโt even remember his own face. He resides in a quiet suburban neighborhood, often sitting on a white chair on the lawn.
According to the NIH, dementia can occur in about 1/3 of people over the age of 85. However, that doesnโt mean itโs a natural part of aging. Dementia is a tough thing to live with, for both the patient and the people caring for them.
Good thing for Gene, he has a lot of friends to keep him going.
For the past 3 years, Gene has gotten visits from some kids at the nearby daycare center.
The kids from the daycare right across from his house love him.
Gene also battled loneliness for the longest time, according to his daughter Cathy.
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So the daily visits from smiling, happy children are nothing short of a blessing to Gene and his daughter.
Gene appreciates their company a lot, even if he never remembers the last time they were here. Every day, the kids come riding bicycles or playing with instruments. They never fail to make him light up and smile.
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He might not remember their names or their last visit. But he does remember how happy they make him.
The daycare teacher, Megan Nunez, has been present pretty much every single day. She always shares a chat or two with Gene while the kids play with him.
She filmed some moments with Gene for people to see on TikTok and Instagram.
Though Gene wonโt remember anything come the next day, tons of people will watch Meganโs videos and see what a sweet old man he just is.
Every visit the kids make is the first time as far as Gene knows.
Come night and the morning of the next day, heโll have forgotten. Then theyโll visit again during the day, and he lights up like he always does. Itโs been like this for the past 3 years now.
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But Geneโs heart seems to remember. He always feels this inherent, unexplainable sense of happiness whenever he steps outside. Like he knows thereโs a reason the outside makes him happy, but he canโt remember what it is.
Cathy says itโs all because of love. His mind fails him, but his love does the remembering for him.
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โWe always tell the kids that his brain is kinda sick, but his heart always remembers us.โ โ Megan Nunez said
And may his heart keep on. The kids are a blessing to Gene, and his story is a blessing to hear about too. It all goes to show just how far love can take you.
Watch the children light up Geneโs day in the video below!
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Every day that 91-yo Gene McGehee steps outside his house he discovers a bunch of kids from the daycare across the street. And because McGehee has severe dementia, every day brings a wonder of discovery. @SteveHartmanCBS reports. https://t.co/QCXeR9yDRD pic.twitter.com/ChGC9GTzZ2
โ CBS Sunday Morning ๐ (@CBSSunday) January 17, 2021
