Maureen McGovern Illness: Singer Shares Powerful Mantra Amid Alzheimer's Disease Battle

Singer Maureen McGovern is keeping her head high amid her Alzheimer's disease battle.

The Grammy-winning singer first opened up about her Alzheimer's disease variant diagnosis in August, saying that she has been showing signs of the neurodegenerative syndrome. She added that she has posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), which affects her vision and abilities to use the things she used before.

Months after sharing her story with the public, she offered hope to everyone and revealed the mantra that helps her to keep going.

In an interview with People, the 73-year-old singer talked about her song "The Morning After." It initially offered a message of hope to listeners, but it now covers her health battles.

"It's not too late, we should be giving / Only with love can we climb / It's not too late, not while we're living / Let's put our hands out in time," she recited, adding, "It's not too late. There's hope. Don't give up. That's my mantra. Don't give up."

Far from the initial statement that she "struggled with the inevitable shock with fear and, frankly, hopelessness," McGovern revealed she keeps those fears away by staying active and practicing to feel an extreme sense of purpose.

Her sister Patt Sweeney, who is living near her, makes sure she knows she is not alone. Even her longtime associates, including Michael Shirtz assist her.

In the end, she told the readers how she is never afraid of dying. Instead of living in constant fear, McGovern advised everyone to start singing amid the unexpected moments in life.

The Alzheimer's Association says PCA refers to the gradual and progressive degeneration of a person's outer layer of the brain in the organ's posterior. Its symptoms can vary among patients, but people with the disease can experience difficulties with visual tasks, disorientation, hallucinations, anxiety, reduced memory, and difficulty maneuvering.

Maureen McGovern Leaves Concert Stage

In her August announcement on her official website, McGovern revealed her future after learning about her health issue.

The singer heartbreakingly said she could no longer travel nor perform in live concerts. The disease also keeps her from driving again.

"Children's responses are immediate, unfiltered, and so much fun," she continued. "I've loved writing songs for kids, and I will continue to do so. And, I will be working to bring more attention and awareness to Music Therapy."

McGovern started her career as a Broadway actress, making her debut in the 1982 "The Pirates of Penzance."