Patricia Wilson:

My father

Patricia Wilson remembers when Alzheimer's crept in.

"The first time I saw my dad struggling to tie his own shoes, I just couldn't believe it," she said.

Her father, Allen Wilson, had spent his career doing outreach to small businesses for the federal government.

For five years, Allen Wilson's daughter and sons helped the widower with everything — bills, cleaning, personal care. Sometimes, they stayed overnight so he could continue to live in his home on Madison's West Side.

Patricia Wilson said she evolved as a caregiver.

"There were times I yelled at my dad," she said. "I look back, it was abusive."

But she studied, and she was ready when her father, who had never even spanked her as a child, hit her in the head with a closed fist.

It was important, her training had shown, not to react badly to an act caused by the disease. "I backed off and left the room," she said. "Then I started crying."

The family eventually had to move him to a nursing home.

At the age of 82, eight years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Allen Wilson died.

His daughter became a volunteer visitor to nursing homes for the state. Now she is a paid family support specialist with the regional chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

"My whole journey with my dad is an eye opener," she said. "He handled it with such dignity. I respect and love him more."

Jessica Pfaff:

Lifelines to people

She helps the frail elderly rise, clean themselves and eat.

She responds to emergencies, small or serious, sometimes very personal or potentially humiliating.

For four years, Jessica Pfaff has cared for residents at Meriter Health Center, a 120-bed skilled nursing home in Downtown Madison.

Pfaff, 27, a Mauston native, was inspired a decade earlier by hospice nurses who cared for her grandmother as she died of lung cancer.

"They had such a positive impact on my family," she said.

After becoming a certified nursing assistant, Pfaff initially worked near her home before moving to Madison and taking a job at Meriter. Next year, she will begin studies at Madison Area Technical College to become a registered nurse.

If she is stressed by the sights, sounds, smells and tasks that are part of any nursing home, she remembers how she'd want a family member to be treated.

"As caregivers, sometimes we are lifelines to people," she said.

Angelika Neitzel:

Living my dream

Angelika Neitzel had a business career.

But these days, she is a certified nursing assistant for BrightStar Healthcare, a small, for-profit agency in Madison that provides in-home services for the elderly.

Neitzel, whose husband makes a good salary and benefits in the field of marketing, chose a career that offers a flexible schedule and personal satisfaction.

"Money isn't everything," she said "Being able to help people stay in their home, that's extremely rewarding."