About Dementia...
Not an either/or proposition. Between 3 and four years in, stage four of Alzheimer's. Memory problems make life more difficult, but relatively minor. A matter of learning to adjust... just as one who has a physical disability. Coping without becoming upset is a key... and not trying to hide the problem makes social life easier...especially in our case, living in a CCRC community.
Not at all unusual for a 5 year to 10 year progression... now, at age 83, a day at a time... Not uncommon to repeat a post, or weigh in a second or third time, with different points of view. Part of the game.
Too often persons with some degree dementia are written off as not having a "life". I know better. We see people, very day, who may not recognize us, but who are entirely cogent, and fun to be around.
What's it like?... Most of the time, it's short term memory loss, as in what day is it? What did I do yesterday? Why did I come in this room? ... But some of the more serious things... as in forgetting how to get to a particular store, or business when out in the car.
What hurts the most, is the loss of memory about the past... dates, places, people, events. For the most part, so far, the deeper intellect and reasoning seems to still be in place, but everything takes longer, with more mistakes.
Between 60 and 80% of Dementia, is deemed to be Alzheimer's. There are more than 5.5 million Americans, and 44 million people worldwide with Alzheimers.
By 2050, an estimated 16 million people in the US will have Alzheimer's.
I am hoping for 10 more years, but don't have much of a say in the matter. No rush to die. Life is too good.
