Betsy Broyles Arnold: ‘Your Attitude Is Your Greatest Asset’

In a sometimes poignant, sometimes funny presentation Thursday, Betsy Broyles Arnold said her mother, Barbara Broyles, decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s brought her family closer together and presented the family an opportunity to talk to people about their experiences.

Arnold and her daughter, Molly Arnold Gay, spoke at an Alzheimer’s symposium for caregivers Thursday morning before about 50 people at St. Bernards Auditorium in Jonesboro.

Arnold said her family moved back to Fayetteville to help her father – former Arkansas athletic director, football coach and broadcaster Frank Broyles – take care of Barbara Broyles after the diagnosis.

Arnold said her mother began having trouble in 1993 while on a trip to Israel.

“They went on a side trip to Egypt and while there, she developed bacterial pneumonia,” Arnold said. “She stayed 10 days in the hospital and after she got out, she could not remember her children’s names.”

Arnold said her mother, who was active in projects on the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville campus and in Fayetteville, decided in 1995 to “back out of everything.”

“Withdrawing is an early sign of the disease,” Arnold said.

Three years later, the disease had already caused difficulties, Arnold said.

Her mother could not balance a checkbook and had trouble turning off a car, Arnold said, noting a doctor believed her mother had suffered a stroke.

Arnold said her twin sister, Linda, also worked as a caregiver for their mother.

“To choose to care for a loved one is life changing. It is difficult, you will laugh and it is frustrating. But I do not regret it,” Arnold said. “I wish I had one more minute with my mother.”

ATTITUDE IS AN ASSET
According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, their president and CEO, Harry Johns, testified to Congress in March 2013.

Johns told the House Appropriations Committee that caring for people with Alzheimer’s will cost Medicare, Medicaid, individuals, private insurance and HMOs at least $20 trillion over the next 40 years.

Arnold said her family picked up everything and moved back to Fayetteville from the Houston area after finding out about her mother’s diagnosis.

Molly Arnold Gay said she was a teenager when the family moved back to Fayetteville. Gay said caregivers should not be afraid of asking for help from family and friends, noting chores like cooking large meals and running errands can be helpful.

Gay said that people should remain positive in spite of sometimes overwhelming obstacles.

“Your attitude will make or break you,” Gay said.

Betsy Broyles Arnold echoed that sentiment.

“As my dad would say, your attitude is your greatest asset,” Arnold said.