Fred's fight with Alzheimer's


Our family 1980s with Fred & Gertrude Yee (middle), Doug, Caroline, Liz Yee (left), Danny, Patti, Derek, Grant Ching (right)


I have fond memories with my brother growing up at our grandparent's home in Honolulu during the 1970 - 80s.  Fred (aka "Goongi") spent a lot of time with the grandkids, and I recall as a teenager when my parents explained to us that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the early 1980s.

The memories I have of my grandfather Fred are where he was always jovial and fun to be around as a kid.  However, during our teenage years my brother and I could see obvious signs relating to dementia that were difficult to deal with.

In the early years, he would always wake us in the morning (5am) and take me with him to the YICK LUNG office on Dillingham Blvd at the time. Later, we'd go to breakfast with his brothers at the old Alakea Grill, take a brisk walk-through Chinatown near Wo Fat restaurant and workout at the local Nuuanu YMCA.  As we walked around Maunakea Street, lots of people seemed to know him where he'd make them laugh with a joke or two.  He was known in the community and active in many organizations around Hawaii.

As we ran into the same people over time, I could see that he wouldn't quite recognize them and  would try to get a laugh with the same riddle or puzzle over and again which was usually entertained with courtesy and a smile.

On a more serious note when we traveled to the neighboring Hawaiian islands or mainland, he would wake early and leave the hotel on his own.  Our family would be in a panic as he would be lost for many hours.  First, on the island of Maui then San Francisco, New York with security and police searching till we found him scared and confused with all of us emotionally and physically drained from the agonizing search.

As time progressed, other difficult challenges would arise like removing keys to prevent him from driving and locking doors to prevent situations similar to above.

In the 1980s, we took him to the Alzheimer's Institute in New York only to learn there was no chance of any cure.

For many years, our grandmother Gertrude "Popi" spent countless and exhausting hours as a loving caretaker where it was so difficult for her and all of us to manage each day.  We eventually placed my grandfather Fred in a care home not far from where we lived.  While we visited him in the afternoons watching him slowly fade further each day, it was such a difficult time for our family as we experienced what's known as, "the long goodbye" till he passed away in 1991.

He is now laid to rest in Diamondhead mortuary with wife Gertrude, daughter Patti and her husband Danny.


Alzheimer's is difficult for both those inflicted along with their families.

With a growing aging population in the Hawaiian Islands, as a tribute we have aligned with the Alzheimer's Association - HI Chapter and the HI Kai Jaycees to fundraise for research and caregiver support.  Donors receive candy leis with the YICK LUNG story to spread the awareness of resources available to help caretakers with their loved ones who have dementia.

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Fred and Gertrude built an iconic business in his early years where YICK LUNG has been known through many generations in the islands.  Learn more how the "Crackseed" business began in the early 1900s.

READ THE YICK LUNG STORY

Written By : Hawaii's Choice Editor