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Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease: Former Chesterfield Woman Writes Memoir

Alex Monti Fox

When Stefania Silvestri was 14 years old and living in Chesterfield, her father, who was 48 years old, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

At that time Silvestri, her mother, and two sisters became caregivers.

Host Don Marsh talked with Silvestri about her struggle at such a young age and how her father progressed into more severe forms of dementia.  Her memoir is, “Beside the Mountain: Finding Strength and Courage Through My Father's Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease.”

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Alex is the executive producer of "St. Louis on the Air" at St. Louis Public Radio.
Mary Edwards is a producer for St. Louis Public Radio's broadcast program, "St. Louis Symphony."
Don Marsh served as host of St. Louis Public Radio’s “St. Louis on the Air" from 2005 to 2019, bringing discussions of significant topics to listeners' ears at noon Monday through Friday. Don has been an active journalist for 58 years in print, radio and television. He has won 12 Regional Emmy Awards for writing, reporting, and producing. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, was inducted into the St. Louis Media Hall of Fame in 2013, and named “Media Person of the Year” by the St. Louis Press Club in 2015. He has published three books: his most recent, “Coming of Age, Liver Spots and All: A Humorous Look at the Wonders of Getting Old,” “Flash Frames: Journey of a Journeyman Journalist” and “How to be Rude (Politely).” He holds an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.