Ride to Remember for Alzheimer’s
What started out as just another one of Jo Gernhoefer’s ‘‘crazy ideas’’ is still outlandish, but one her family ran with for a good cause.
As it turned out it was a bluff Cape Reinga to Bluff that is.
Jo wanted to bike the length of the country to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s. A mission prompted in memory of her late aunty Fay Harbottle who suffered from the disease.
Her solo mission quickly turned into a family affair after her dad Maurice Gernhoefer, 75, jumped on board, then the rest of her kin soon followed.
The self-professed off-the-couch recreational rider said she was known to come up with a few outthere ideas in her time, but her Papa realised she would not let this one go, and did not want to see her going alone.
Now the pair, along with Jo’s partner Emmy Brouwers, and sister Erin Gernhoefer are in training for their month-long Ride to Remember that begins March 1, from Cape Reinga.
Jo’s mum Nancy Gernhoefer and sister Addie Fleming will be by their side every pedal of the way - in a support van.
‘‘We are already a very tight family, but for this we know we will have to really stick together and dig deep,’’ said Jo.
Jo said when her aunt went from being a vital and vibrant person within the community to becoming dependant on secure care it was extremely hard to watch.
‘‘We will have to really stick together and dig deep.’’
Jo Gernhoefer
‘‘She was a dance teacher, dancing was her absolute passion. At times it almost seemed like she reverted back to those happier times. Her hair and looks were the same, but the Aunty Fay I knew just wasn’t there anymore. She seemed lost.’’
For hundreds of people in the region living with dementia was a reality, with Alzheimer’s the most significant cause of dementia, it was growing as the population ages said Alzheimer’s Taranaki Inc manager Ana Parkes.
As an effort to lift the lid on Alzheimer’s it recently launched a new brochure designed to make it easier for people with concerns about theirs, or someone else’s memory.
The organisation also runs support groups, social events, education series, and field workers also make house calls.
‘‘The more support that can be given, the longer the person with dementia can expect to remain living at home.’’