News Correspondent Speaks on Alzheimer's

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By Gillette Vaira

Story Published: Oct 4, 2011 at 1:22 PM MDT

Story Updated: Oct 4, 2011 at 1:22 PM MDT

BILLINGS - In 2005, after 20 years of marriage, doctors diagnosed the wife of CBS senior news correspondent Barry Petersen with Alzheimer's disease.

"I think one of the frustrations, part of the anger of dealing with this disease is that this bright, lovely, wonderful woman had a disease about which we could do nothing," Petersen said.

Jan Petersen was just 55 years old at the time.

"It's going to touch you or your family. It's extraordinary how widespread this disease is," Petersen said. "And there's nothing quite as heartbreaking as looking at a person that you loved, who was there physically, and mentally is gone."

Petersen, a Sidney native, is telling the story at the 43rd Governor's Conference on Aging.

"You always need to hear from the individuals who are actually in the trenches, what they are experiencing," said conference coordinator Brian LaMoure. "His wife has Alzheimer's, he's written a book on it. He had unique experiences, and it was totally unexpected."

Petersen wrote a book entitled "Jan's Story" in order to share a specific message with the public.

"If we wish to deal with, stop, short-circuit, figure out this disease, we have to do it now. The reality is, the medications on the market cannot stop the disease. They cannot even slow the disease. There is nothing out there for people with Alzheimer's."

Petersen's wife now lives in an assisted living facility at age 62. He is speaking at the Holiday Inn Monday at 7 p.m. and Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.

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