Health problems separate Regina couple after 60 years together

As the oldest of the baby boomers turn 70, CBC looks at the changes ahead as this group enters its golden years. This series asks if we are ready for the challenges ahead.

Mary Sebastian enthusiastically describes her husband Ignatius Sebastian as "magnificent."

Those might sound like the words of a newlywedbut thecouple has been together for 63 years.They have eight children, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

"They were one of those couples that were meant to be together," said their son Greg Sebastian.

After all these years, the couple still shares tender moments and gentle hugs, but now only a fewtimes a week.

Mary and Ignatius live in separate places.

For years, they were living together in a retirement residence and doing well despite Ignatius' Parkinson's disease and Mary'sdementia.

Greg says Mary would help with her husband's mobility and Ignatius would help Mary with her memory.

On Father'sDay in 2013, Ignatius had a serious fall. He now has trouble swallowing and eating.It meant he had to move to Wascana Rehabilitation Centre for more intensive care.

Mary can't live on her own so she now lives in a Regina house that's been converted into a senior care home.
It's three kilometres away from the rehabilitation centre.

Both say they are very happy with the care they are receiving in their respective places, but they miss living together.

"That's nice that I can go to visit but the separation is not good," Mary said.

Even though Mary often forgets events and sometimes people, she still remembers moving away from Ignatius.

"How can you forget something like that?" questionedMary.

Now Mary visits Ignatiusonce or twice a week with the help of their children. They have a weekly date on Sundays to go to a church serviceinside the rehabilitation centre.

Iggy likes to check Mary's hand to make sure she's wearing her wedding ring before they head to the service.

Their son Greg says he'd like to see his parents under the same roof, but he's not sure if it will be possible in the future.