‘Epic singer’, ‘salsa dancer’, and ‘bingo-holic,’ are all terms of endearment in their sincerest forms for Evelyn Nazario de Jacobs, Cobb Tharp, aka ‘Mamacita’ to her namesake, her daughter Evelyn Jacobs, [ironically married a Jacobs of Swansboro] of Jacksonville, North Carolina. “She loved volleyball, any outdoor activities, served as our Boy Scouts den mother, our Girl Scouts leader, but bingo – we would travel all over the place!” exclaims Evelyn. Mamacita’s husband was a U.S. Marine, and even when he was deployed, it was only for a year; therefore the family remained in Jacksonville. Mamacita’s mother would come visit them from Puerto Rico or their family would go there for a brief visit, but Mamacita was adamant about not moving to places like Germany or Italy for less than a year.
In addition to being incredibly involved with her children’s lives, Mamacita was a specialist with numbers. She worked most of her life in different finance and/or accounting jobs with her last being at Marine Federal Credit Union. During her career at the credit union, Mamacita had Type 2 diabetes which required medication to manage. Other changes began to occur with Mamacita’s behavior. She began forgetting things at work. Evelyn notes Mamacita was driving the car and suddenly pulled off the side of the road. When questioning her mother about her actions, the excuse was the diabetes medication made her become disoriented. Mamacita also began to repeat herself, i.e. say the exact thing five times within the hour. One day the credit union called Evelyn as her mother had not shown up for work. Evelyn was full of both fear and sadness at the same time. Fearful that her mother may have had a car accident, and sad as Evelyn was no stranger to the signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Both Evelyn’s maternal grandmother and father had lived with the disease. Evelyn had assumed the role of caregiver for both of her grandparents and knew first-hand the challenges that may lie ahead for the family. Luckily Mamacita was not in an accident but had pulled off the side of the road in her car, as she had again become disoriented. Evelyn painfully remembers soon after that episode that she made the decision to take her mother’s car keys. Mamacita was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010 at the age of 70.
Approximately 13% of Hispanics who are 65 or older have Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
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Evelyn and her siblings all participated in the care of their mom as her disease progressed. Their brother lived the closest to Mamacita, so he made sure she remembered to take her diabetes medication and spent each night with her. When that arrangement became unsafe, Mamacita moved in with Evelyn’s sister temporarily while Evelyn made arrangements since she had a full-time job thirty minutes away, a smaller home, and was a mother to a special needs child. Eventually, the siblings made the painful yet responsible decision to move Mamacita to a memory care community where she lived until her passing in 2018. Evelyn offers that Mamacita’s disease progression was so much quicker than those of her grandmother and grandfather. Admittedly, Evelyn is concerned about her own future in that Alzheimer’s disease can be inherited and her family history speaks to that. Every time she loses her train of thought or misplaces her keys, she questions whether she should go get tested.
Evelyn and her siblings were no strangers to the services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association as they were helpful in both their father and grandmother’s prior journey. “The support group was really helpful to us when our loved ones were struggling,” shares Evelyn. “Also our close friend Jeannette Martinez [who was a caregiver for her husband who lived with the disease] was a great resource in navigating us through the variety of association resources.” Evelyn and Mamacita had participated in Walk to End Alzheimer’s events previously in Wilmington in memory of the parents/grandparents but adds that her mom’s passing was the catalyst that took her involvement to the next level in 2018.
Evelyn’s commitment was further fueled by realizing so many others, in addition to her friend Jeannette, who were trekking along similar journeys. Even though she cares for her child, Mason, who has special needs, when able she still tries to play a role on the committee for Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Jacksonville.
This year Evelyn is team captain of their Walk Team called Cobb Team (maiden name). Both Evelyn and the team have earned top fundraising ranks in the past. They are looking forward to fundraising through social media, visiting area doctor’s offices, as well as, participating on Walk Day, October 14 at Jacksonville Commons Recreation Complex. Evelyn says that she’s walking not only in honor of her three family members but also Jeannette’s husband and another friend’s who have been impacted. They’ve formed a sisterhood of sorts. Evelyn enjoys seeing all the participants show up for walk day as she knows so many of the different walk team members. She also feels the energy of excitement that is generated throughout the morning. Alzheimer’s is something that Evelyn strongly believes should be remedied as soon as possible and the Walk serves as an effective tool to raise awareness within the community. “The Alzheimer’s Association has done an amazing job in hands-on involvement with its constituents,” asserts Evelyn. “Knowing the staff is accessible and getting the word out about it [the Association] has made such an impact on my family and me.”
During Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), the Alzheimer’s Association is celebrating Hispanics and Latinos who are bravely taking on the fight to end Alzheimer’s. Their dedication to their loved ones and the community inspires us all. Evelyn and all of Mamacita’s family are a shining example of such courage. Hispanics are the fastest-growing population in the United States. By 2050, the number of Hispanic elders with Alzheimer’s and other dementias could increase more than six-fold, from nearly 200,000 today to as many as 1.3 million. Despite their increased risk, Hispanics/Latinos are underrepresented in clinical trials, making up just 1 to 7% of all clinical trial participants. The Alzheimer’s Association wants families to know they are not alone when navigating Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The Association offers free Spanish-language resources, programs and services including:
- A free nationwide 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) staffed by specialists and master’s-level clinicians who offer comprehensive information, care consultations, referrals and real-time support – translation services available in more than 200 languages.
- A comprehensive Spanish-language portal of information on Alzheimer’s and dementia, care and support, research, ways to involved and to find a local office.
- Funds raised through efforts like Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which Evelyn supports, helps the Alzheimer’s Association pursue research into health disparities like the impact on the Hispanic/Latino community.
LIKE EVELYN, WE ALL HAVE A REASON TO FIGHT FOR A WORLD WITHOUT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. Join your local Walk to End Alzheimer’s today as an individual, team, or sponsor.
The Alzheimer’s Association hosts 17 walks across North Carolina. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association® mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.
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