Jay Leno talks caring for wife following dementia diagnosis: 'I like taking care of her'
Jay Leno is is opening up about caring for his wife of over 40 years following her dementia diagnosis.
The comedian discussed his experience looking after his wife Mavis Leno in a lengthy interview with Graham Bensinger posted to YouTube on Wednesday.
"I have never been particularly challenged. I was not in the Army. I didn't have to shoot anybody. I didn't have to risk my life," he said. "When I got married, you sort of take a vow."
"I enjoy the time with my wife," he added, saying he cooks dinner for her and watches television with her.
"It's basically what we did before, except now I have to feed her and do all those things. But I like it. I like taking care of her," he said.
He added that because Mavis Leno has historically been very independent, he likes that he is "needed" in the marriage.
Jay Leno also recounted playing flash card memory games with his wife, asking if she remembered old pictures.
He specifically recalled showing her a photo of former President Barack Obama, saying that she couldn't believe the two of them had once dined with Obama in the White House.
"You know, you have to find the humor in it," he said.
Jay Leno conceded that caring for his wife, whom he married in 1980, can be challenging.
"When you have to feed someone and change them and, you know, carry them to the bathroom and do all that kind of stuff every day, it's a challenge," he said.
"At some point in my life, I'm going to be called upon to defend myself, stand up for whatever it might be," he continued. "I'm glad I didn't cut and run, and I'm glad I didn't run off with some woman half my age or any of that silly nonsense, you know? I mean, I would rather be with her than doing something else."
