63-year-old mom, writer, daughter and wife talks life-changing Alzheimer's diagnosis

LONG ISLAND (WABC) -- Carolyn Schwartz always loved writing -- it was a part of her job. It was something that came easy to her, something she was good at.

"When I look across this entire room, there's so much that I could see. It's my shining star that watches over me and my entire family," Carolyn read to Eyewitness News Anchor Bill Ritter.

"That's fantastic," Ritter said. "You were a good writer."

"I did that in two seconds, like back in the day," Carolyn responded.

Back in the day, indeed. That's because Carolyn's life took a dramatic turn in the summer of 2023 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

"What did you feel when all of a sudden you were diagnosed with this?" Ritter asked.

"I feel kind of terrible, you know, it doesn't almost feel real," Carolyn said. "I was top of my class in high school and college. I had a great life."

Carolyn's husband, Paul Schwartz, has been right beside during this Alzheimer's journey. They're each just 63 and have known each other since college.

"How did you react when she was given the diagnosis?" Ritter asked.

"It's a change in your life, you don't really know what's happening at that moment," Paul said. "Everything is new and your life is changed upside down. That's what you feel. Your life has changed upside down."

Like all Alzheimer's patients and families, there were some big changes. Paul decided to semi-retire and work at home.

"Because the time we have left, she needs me here now," Paul said.

And there were lots of small changes, like early dinners, so Carolyn can prioritize more sleep and staying in mostly familiar places and with familiar faces.

The support system surrounding Carolyn includes her mother and her partner and the Schwartz family's three daughters.

"My mom is my best friend," Carolyn's daughter Sam said. "She's the ultimate mom."

"I think about her all the time," Carolyn's daughter Ilana said. "I just want her to be happy."

Watch an extended version above.

Although this has been very difficult for the family, Carolyn's mother Gilda said she's still Carolyn.

"It's a scary sentence, Alzheimer's, you can still be yourself, she's still Carolyn," Gilda said. "We have a lot of life to live and a lot for her to be grateful for."

"Paul McCartney says it best," Ritter said. "'The love you take is equal to the love you make.'"

But instead of giving Paul McCartney the final words, let's leave that to another talented writer.

"Keep smiling, enjoying and appreciating all the things you love to do, for which stimulates my radiance is what's inside of you," Carolyn said.