John Chandler on living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

I was diagnosed at the age of 76. I had recently retired from a successful business career. I have been very lucky. I have tried to live a healthy lifestyle. It came at me kind of suddenly. I denied it. Then I got angry. I went through all the stages of acceptance if you will. I can’t say that I have [fully] accepted it. 

I did realize that hiding from friends and family would not be healthy. I went public. Fortunately, thanks to my wife Nancy's earlier engagement with the Alzheimer’s Association, I was able to engage more. 

First of all, I am very fortunate to have a very capable wife like her. I am very lucky to have a very understanding wife like her.

The thing that still sticks in my craw is that I did all of the right things. I exercise regularly. I'm pretty much a top athlete in everything I've ever done … mountain biking and skiing. 

There is no denying that the edges are getting a little tougher. I do not have the same communications capabilities. I am starting to screw up with simple things like setting up a webinar, a seminar or something… A lot of those technical skills I am starting to lose….. That is as frustrating as hell. 

You sit down with the doctors and say what are we  going to do? I have already struck all the boxes. I have been eating right. I have been exercising. I have been doing all of the right things. The biggest lesson for me. You do all the right things and you still get this. This is not [only] an old folks disease. This is something that everybody is at risk for. Live with it at best, if not try to fight it… Doing the best I can with the hand I’ve been dealt.  [I focus] on daily victories of doing what I can, focusing on the positive things, rather than the negative.

This interview excerpt originates from the Alzheimer’s Association podcast series, "Life after Diagnosis: a Conversation on Living Well."

For more information:

• Visit the Alzheimer's Association website. Call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit their website at alz.org. A first step is to always talk to a trusted healthcare provider.
• Read Health Nation coverage on Nancy Chandler, John Chandler's wife.
• Read more Health Nation coverage on Nancy Chandler's caregiving journey caring for her mother who was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a form of dementia.
• Read additional local news coverage on Nancy Chandler's volunteering and advocacy.

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