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<\/p>\nAlthough Jim and Maureen\u2019s relationship has changed drastically over the course of their 55 years of marriage, the love they have for each other hasn\u2019t faded a bit. The pair can be found at their favorite caf\u00e9 three times a week. Jim shares that this routine started after his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s disease and vascular dementia in 2020.<\/p>\n
A year after this diagnosis, Maureen\u2019s health declined rapidly in a single weekend. In fact, Jim was told that she wouldn\u2019t survive to see the next week. Despite these odds, however, she\u2019s still around three years later. Now, Jim does whatever he can to make the most of each day she has left.<\/p>\n
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Old wedding photo of Jim and Maureen. They\u2019re both smiling as they stand next to each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy philosophy is each day, I want to give Maureen the best day she can have,\u201d Jim explains. \u201cThat statement stems from when she came out of the hospital, and each day could have been her last. We\u2019re very lucky. With dementia, I hear that people change their personality. But she\u2019s the same happy person.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why the loving pair can be found at their caf\u00e9 so often \u2014 getting out is a great way for Maureen to enjoy her day. Plus, after coffee and lunch, Jim can take her for a stroll on Queenscliff Shelly Beach. This location is quite a sentimental place for the couple.<\/p>\n