Besides forgetting things, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may also stay confused, depressed and even lose the will to live.

And it doesn’t change.

Many diagnosed can’t exist without help, and it’s hard for a caretaker to watch a loved on feel helpless.

Joy Powell has felt this despair.

“For anyone who’s ever been involved or has had a family member contract the disease, they die before the disease takes over their body,” said Powell. “You can see the fear in their eyes, and you’ll actually lose your loved ones before they actually pass away.”

Her husband Richard Powell died Dec. 16, 2003.

This very personal death sums up the whole purpose of why Powell helps organize local Alzheimer’s benefit concert: It’s important to find a cure.

“Unless you are truly involved with it, you don’t understand,” said Powell. “When you get to where you cannot communicate with each other it’s worse then seeing someone not be able to walk.”

“You can’t communicate your love with them,” added Powell. “I’ll continue to support the cause.”

The free benefit concert will raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association on Nov. 28 at the Harris Art Center. Doors open at 6:30 and seating capacity is 200.

The last benefit concert was held at the Elks Club, costing $100 a table of six, but they don’t want finances to be a problem for anyone who wants to attend.

“Times are hard and its donation only,” Powell said. “It’ll be a great show.”

And she can brag too because the concert will be performed by her son Monty Powell and his wife Anna Wilson, which will spotlight Wilson’s new Christmas album.

Monty Powell is no stranger to Gordon County, and is a friend to many of the local musi-cians in this area. Powell, a native of Resaca, has humble roots, climbing the charts as a country/pop genre artist and songwriter and has been recognized among many stars in Nash-ville.

This year he was presented the SESAC award for country music as the songwriter on Nov. 9, 2009. In addition, Powell and Keith Urban’s song “Tonight I Wanna Cry,” was nominated by the Country Music Awards for a song of the year in 2006.

Wilson, of Pennsylvania, will perform original songs from her Christmas cd, “Yule Swing!,” which will be paired with Powell’s vocals.

Wilson’s voice is a mixture of a sassy vocal harmony that’s paired with a fresh jazz tempo. She grew up listening to Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland.

“It’s the rare singer who trims the tree with all-new material,” said Woodrow Wilkins, in a review of Anna Wilson’s new cd. “Wilson does, and it’s a beauty.”

The performance will end with a special song dedication by Monty talking about his experiences with his dad.

Cds will be available to purchase at the concert and all proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

Singer-songwriter Monty Powell wrote a song for his father, who died of Alzheimer’s in 2003. The Resaca native has performed with country stars like Keith Urban, but has remained a friend to many of the local musicians in our area. He will perform a free benefit Alzheimer’s Concert on Nov. 28 at the Harris Art Center.