In the last two years, Anthony's condition has progressed "to moderate/severe," but that hasn't stopped them from enjoying time together abroad
What began as occasional forgetfulness slowly turned into persistent memory and language issues that couldn't be ignored for Anthony Sandone.
Concerned, Sandone and his wife, Karen, began seeking answers in March 2022, visiting numerous doctors in search of an explanation.
Due to Anthony's age and overall good health, dementia wasn't initially suspected, and the process of ruling out other conditions was long and emotionally exhausting.
By May 2023, Anthony was forced to retire from his 35-year career in chemical sales due to his progressing symptoms.
Four months later, on Sept. 7, 2023, their suspicions were confirmed. Anthony was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at just 55 years old - changing their life forever.
Anthony, now 57, lives with a form of the disease called primary progressive aphasia, which severely affects his ability to speak and understand language.
Once the picture of vitality - he, a former collegiate athlete, and Karen, a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader - truly believed they would be the couple to ride out the disease until there was a cure.
They even enlisted support from Mano Wellness, a health coaching platform, to help Anthony maintain his fitness, diet, and nutrition. But Alzheimer's had other plans.
"In less than two years, Anthony's condition has progressed from mild/moderate to moderate/severe and there is no one in control of this progression but Alzheimer's," Karen, 58, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
Conversations, remembering names, and even everyday tasks like using a phone or remote control are a struggle. Following instructions is difficult, so Karen limits his tasks and ensures those around him are patient and help guide him through the confusion.
"It was heartbreaking to tell Anthony he could no longer drive," Karen recalls of a turning point in November 2024. "A moment that made him feel like everything was being taken from him."
As his condition progressed, so did the impact on their blended family of six adult children. Anthony struggles with short-term memory, making unfamiliar places and sudden changes to his routine especially difficult and stressful.
He can no longer use electronic devices like phones, so Karen has taken on full responsibility for managing everything - appointments, finances, and household needs - while also working full-time and serving as his primary caregiver.
While he once handled all their travel planning, from booking flights to organizing cruise itineraries, it's been an emotional adjustment for Karen to take on the extra tasks.
"The little things," she says, are what she misses most - things she realizes she once took for granted and that are no longer possible for him.
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Yet despite these challenges, Karen and Anthony have made a conscious choice not to let the disease stop them from living.
Travel, a passion they've shared for years, especially after becoming empty nesters, continues to be a cornerstone of their time together.
Their favorite destinations include Puerto Vallarta, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and their most unforgettable trips - Italy and Greece.
Cruises, however, have proven to be the most manageable type of travel given Anthony's current needs. "He did really well on the most recent cruise and the crew team was very helpful," Karen reveals.
To make travel safer and more comfortable, Karen upgraded their cabin to an enclosed room with private amenities, informed the cruise staff of Anthony's condition, and equipped him with a dementia ID lanyard and a medical-alert Apple Watch.
"I was scared," she admits. "People discouraged me from going alone with Anthony."
Still, she stayed by his side the entire time. They laughed and soaked in every moment. Even with the repeated questions, the confusion, and the difficulty communicating, they found joy in the little things that matter most: simply being together.
"I do not know if that was our last trip together. But I have no regrets," she tells PEOPLE.
Karen refuses to let fear dictate their life choices. She almost canceled their most recent trip, but after being asked if she would regret not going, her answer was "yes." That moment shifted everything.
Beyond their personal journey, the couple has become powerful advocates in their community.
Karen recently represented the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) in Washington, D.C. as a Congressional Advocate, where she traveled to Capitol Hill to raise awareness about the importance of continued funding for Alzheimer's research and support.
Her advice for other couples facing Alzheimer's is simple but profound: "Meet your loved one where they are, in the moment."
Alzheimer's, without a doubt, has transformed their marriage. And although Anthony is no longer the person he once was, he is still Karen's husband and best friend, and the pair try to cherish every moment they share together.