Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Welcome back to the keys.
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When we left off.
A community was left reelingwith a sudden disappearance of
Clarence Clemens.
And beloved father.
And husband recently diagnosed.
With the early stages ofAlzheimer's.
Today in our final episode,title home.
We traced a crucial hours of asearch that test the resolve of
a family and the community thatsupports them.
(00:25):
Lyrics by The Academy of Musicwww.
academyofmusic.
com It's now 24 hours sinceClarence walked away from the
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senior center.
The Clemens family together withlocal authorities mobilize a
search.
Operation that spans the breadthof the city.
From the leafy parks whereClarence like to walk.
To the stores and areas hefrequent during his healthier
years.
As the day unfolds, the tensionescalates.
(01:18):
Each passing hour is more thanjust a marker of time.
It's a ticking countdown thatweighs heavily on the hearts of
everyone involved.
Betty.
He's out there somewhereconfused and probably scared.
It's not like him to wander off.
This disease is.
It's like stealing him away fromus bit by bit.
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First he can no longer drive andnow he disappears.
He just walks away.
The Huntsville police coordinatethe local news outlets.
Issuing a silver alert thatbroadcast clearance has
description across state linesas the community of Huntsville
continuous it's desperate searchfor clearance Clemens.
A new lead emerges thatreignites hope and sends a
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ripple of urgency through theranks of searchers and police
alike.
Huntsville police department.
How can I help you?
Hello.
I was at the maple Grovecemetery visiting my brother's
grave.
And I think I might have seenthe man from the news.
The one who's missing.
He seemed disoriented, walkingalong the edge of the cemetery,
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near the woods.
Can you describe him?
Was he an older gentleman, about78 with gray hair.
Yes, that's him.
He looked confused.
I want to approach him, but bythe time I decided to walk over,
he had wandered off into thewoods.
I'm really worried.
He might get lost in there.
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The dispatcher.
Thanks the caller.
Ending the call with a promiseof immediate action.
Within minutes, the informationis relayed to the teams on the
ground.
The location is particularlyworrying.
The wooded area in your mapleGrove cemetery is vast and easy
to get lost in, especially forsomeone in Clarence's condition.
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All units.
We have a possible sighting ofMr.
Clemens at the maple Grovecemetery.
He may have headed into thewoods.
I need all available units toconverge on this location.
Stat.
Bring flashlights and preparefor a grid search.
The response is swift policecars.
Along with volunteers equippedwith search gear, flood the
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area, the sun is setting castinglong shadows.
That make the search morechallenging, but no less
determined.
As a search teams prepare toenter the woods.
The tension is palpable Eachsearcher knows the stakes are
high.
And time is of the essence.
The community's resolve istested, but I'm broken their
(03:49):
determination fueled by the hopesparked by the last sighting.
Uh, understanding the gravity ofthe situation and the potential
lead from maple Grove cemetery.
Clarence has children, Rick andEllen, and prepare to join the
search efforts directly.
Leaving their mother, Betty atthe senior center to receive
support and updates.
Rick and Ellen drive towards thecemetery.
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Each moment filled with anxious,anticipation and a relentless
desire to find their father.
Maple Grove cemetery.
with sprawling acres andadjacent woods represents a
formidable search area.
As they arrive, they see thepolice and volunteers have
already established a commandcenter near the entrance.
We need teams to start gridsearches through the woods.
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Be thorough.
Use your flashlights, and markareas.
You've covered.
The terrain is tricky.
And we can't afford anyoversights.
Rick and Ellen quickly join oneof the search teams, their faces
set in grim determination.
They know the challenges ahead.
Yet their hope is undiminished aTestament to the bond they share
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with their father and theirfaith in the community's efforts
to bring him back safely.
Ellen.
We're going to find him, Rick.
He's out there.
And we just need to keeplooking.
Rick.
We will.
We're not going anywhere untilwe bring dad home.
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As they move through thecemetery and in the dense woods,
the darkness begins to envelopthem.
The beam of their flashlightscuts through the night.
A symbol of their own waveringresolve.
With each step, they call outfor Clarence their voices
carrying across the quietlandscape, hopeful for any sign
of him.
This is a time of true test ofendurance hope and deep,
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familiar love that refuses toyield to despair The community
United in purpose continues tosearch under every Bush and
every tree.
As the sun dips in the west andthe shadows appear.
Clarence Clemons separated fromthe familiar and lost in his
growing chill of uncertainty.
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Finds himself in an increasinglyprecarious situation alone.
Confused and now hidden in theshadows of the deep underbrush.
Near maple Grove cemetery.
He senses.
Rather than sees the passage oftime.
Clarence in his mind clouded bythe fog of Alzheimer's.
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Can faintly hear the sounds ofsearchers?
Not far from where he sits.
Clarence.
Clarence.
Their voices calling out,searching for him.
Should be a beacon of hope, butto Clarence, they sound like
echoes from another world.
One, he can no longer fullygrasp or respond to.
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Clarence.
I can hear them.
They're looking for me.
I should be shouting.
Waving my arms, anything to drawtheir attention.
But my voice is like trappedinside me.
Just out of reach.
Everything feels so heavy, sodifficult.
Maybe this is it.
Maybe, this is how my storyends.
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Not with a bang, but with awhisper here among the
whispering trees.
I think of Betty, of Ellen andRick.
Did I tell them how much.
They mean to me.
The thought of them waiting,hoping.
It's like a weight on my chest.
I've had a good run.
I've seen beautiful things,share it, incredible moments
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with people.
I love.
This is the end.
I'm not angry.
I just wish I could see them allonce more to tell them
everything will be okay to tellthem not to worry about me.
As their search intensifies,Clarence drifts between the
present and the comfortingmemories of his past his mind.
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Betraying him in so many waysstill holds on to the essence of
who he is.
A father, a husband, a man whodeeply loved and lived fully.
But even in what seems like hisdarkest hour, The human spirits,
resilience, flickers like aflame in the wind.
Hope is never truly lost.
And as long as the searcherscontinue to call his name.
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There is a chance for a reunion,a chance for Clarence's, a story
to continue.
As search teams combed the areaaround maple Grove cemetery.
That step back in time to walkbeside clearance Clemens during
those crucial moments, when hedecided to leave the senior
center.
Here in his own words.
We explore the inner workings ofa mind caught between the past
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and the present.
Between clarity and confusion.
Clarence.
It was just another afternoon orso it seemed the center was full
of noise.
But none of it felt real to me.
People were laughing, playinggames.
But I felt like I was on theoutside looking in.
There was all this buzz aroundme, but it felt distant.
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Like it was happening behind newglass wall.
I saw the door, a jar.
Just a crack, letting in asliver of the outside, world,
and suddenly I had thisoverwhelming feeling of needing
to be elsewhere.
To be somewhere else anywhere,but here.
I thought of my garden, theroses that might be blooming
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without me to see them.
The bench where I used to sitwith my Connie on cool evenings.
I stood up.
Not really planning what I wasdoing.
It was like, my feet knew whereto go.
Even if my mind wasn't sure.
I just walked towards the door,walked through it and kept
going.
The air outside is smelled likefreedom.
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Like the days before all thisconfusion started to cloud my
mind.
As I walked each step felt morecertain at first.
I was convinced that if I couldget to my garden, If I could
just get to my garden, I couldsit there and everything will
come back to me.
I could remember what it feltlike to be myself again.
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Not the shadow of a man thateveryone sees now.
But the further I went, the lessfamiliar the roads became the
faces.
I passed it and fit into thejigsaw of my memory.
I started to feel lost, reallylost, not just misplaced.
And that's when the fear set in.
Had I made a mistake.
Where was I really trying to go?
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I wanted to go back, but Icouldn't remember the way.
It was like being caught in afog one that wouldn't clear, no
matter how hard I tried to shakeit off.
I was scared.
But not just for myself.
I was scared because I knew Iwas causing worry.
I didn't mean to, I just want itto find a piece of the world
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where things made sense again.
Clarence's journey marked by afleeting moment.
Of autonomy quickly becomes a Ofconfusion and fear.
As we returned to the presentwhere the search teams are
mobilizing in the community'sheartbeats.
Together in hope of a safereturn.
(10:59):
We were reminded of the delicatebalance between seeking freedom
and the safety we sometimes takefor granted.
Make sure you subscribe.
Huntsville police department,Sergeant Miller speaking.
I think I saw the man you'relooking for.
He was walking down by theriver.
Looking loss.
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You know, the river over thereby the cemetery.
The tip leads a team ofsearchers to the banks of the
river Where the autumn leaves.
Carpet the ground.
A mosaic of gold and Amber, abeautiful yet.
Bittersweet backdrop for thesearch.
All units.
Check the river and back of thecemetery.
We just got another call thatsomeone spotted Mr.
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Clarence Clemons.
Ten four.
As the search party approachesthe river heartbeats of
Clarence's family.
Quicken hope mingles.
With dread.
Hope for his safe return.
Dread of what might havehappened.
Over here over here, we foundhim.
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Clarence has discovered sittingquietly by the riverbank.
A place he and Betty oftenvisited during their early years
of marriage.
His face confused at the fussaround him, lights up with the
recognition as he sees Ellen andRick pushing through the crowd.
Dad.
Dad.
Oh, my God, you're safe.
You're safe.
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The reunion is tearful.
A poignant scene of relief andreaffirmed bonds.
Clarence is safe.
But his ordeal has left.
It's mark.
A stark reminder of thechallenges they face as a family
dealing with Alzheimer's.
Clarence is tired anddehydrated.
They call for a stretcher andthey help him out of the woods.
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And Clarence is transported tothe hospital.
Elon and Rick.
Drive back to the senior centerand pick up their mother and
head to the hospital.
In the weeks that follow theClemens family takes decisive
steps.
They increased Clarence's care,ensuring he has constant
companionship and they make hisenvironment as safe as possible.
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They also joined support groups,finding solace and strength in
shared experiences.
When a family member isdiagnosed with early Alzheimer's
is crucial to take proactivesteps to manage the disease and
support the person affected.
Here's some actions families cantake.
One education about Alzheimer'sdisease.
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Learn as much as possible aboutAlzheimer's symptoms,
progression and care needs.
Understanding the disease.
Helps in managing expectationsand planning for future.
Changes.
Two establish a care team.
Assemble a care team that mightinclude family members, friends,
health care providers, andAlzheimer's care professionals.
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This team.
Approach helps distribute thecaregiving responsibilities and
provides better support.
Three.
Legal and financial planning.
I consult with legal andfinancial professionals to make
arrangements for the future.
This includes setting up a powerof attorney.
Living wills and exploringlong-term care insurance
options.
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Four.
Safety measures.
Implement safety modificationsin the home to prevent falls and
injuries.
Consider using GPS, devices andother technologies.
To track and locate your lovedones.
If they wander.
Five.
Routine and structure.
Establish a daily routine thatthe person with Alzheimer's can
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follow routines can help reduceconfusion and provide a sense of
security.
Six stimulating activities.
Engage in activities thatstimulate the mind and the body.
This can include puzzles, music,art, and physical exercise,
tailored to the person'sabilities.
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Seven.
Support groups.
Join support groups, where youcan connect with other families
going through similarexperiences.
Sharing with others can provideemotional relief and practical
tips.
Eight.
Regular medical care.
Maintain regular checkups withhealthcare providers who
specialize in Alzheimer's tomonitor the disease and
(15:14):
progression and adjust careplans as necessary.
And nine caregiver support.
Caregivers can also seek supportfor themselves, whether through
family, community resources orprofessional health to manage
stress and avoid caregiverburnout.
Would you like to have moreinformation about Alzheimer's.
(15:36):
We recommend the Alzheimer'sassociation.
At alz.org, they offercomprehensive information on
Alzheimer's disease carestrategies, local support
groups, and a 24 7 helpline.
As we reflect on today's episodeand the journey many face with
(15:58):
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(17:06):
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(17:27):
Please note.
This episode featuresreenactments and dramatize
details while in most cases, theexact verbatim dialogue may not
be known.
All dramatizations are groundedin research.
To respect the privacy andconfidentiality of individuals
involved.
Names and some identifyingdetails have been changed.
(17:47):
Until next week.
Take care.
Lyrics by The Academy of Musicwww.
academyofmusic.
com