Questions on Dementia - For Ourselves

There are those cultures in which the elderly are revered and honored.  This has grown to be one of those in which the elderly must stay young, and the wisdom which may be imparted from their lips is ignored and chaffed.  It appears to be a culture of arrogance and youth, the haughtiness of knowing the world is an oyster - but was it collected during a red tide?

There are those who make up the majority, though, who know and understand that growing older is natural and something to embrace.  We all can’t keep looking as though we are in our thirties, keep our hair from our twenties, the bodies of our teens, and the agility of that very same youth - unless we have work done, and we work with tremendous vigilance to stay limber and strong.   

But, none of that will keep us from the possibility of encountering dementia in ourselves.  

What people seem to fear the most, in suffering a form of dementia, is that they will be taken care of properly.

• Will there be adequate care?
• Will I be forgotten by family and friends?
• Will I receive the best medical care?
• What are the options I can predict now?
• Is it worth it for me to buy insurance for nursing/memory care now?
• Do I have the resolve to “live” with dementia?

Many determine they must leave this world before confronting the effects of dementia, not wanting to place such a terrible burden on their families.   There is so much fear and anxiety surrounding the condition as it cannot be controlled; albeit, there are new treatments that have come out, but will they work?  What is the efficacy rate?  When must they begin administration?  What are the side effects, and are they worth it?

Watching Mom, her resolve to stay on this planet, and some of the statements she still makes, keeps the heart burning.  When Sharon, the other day, was hugging Mom and Mom told her, “Too much love!” It was Mom again.  That was so typical of something she’d say - you might say that she and the Maggie Smith character on Downton Abbey might truly be aligned (not in every way, mind you, but there are elements).  

Watching and reading and growing in understanding of the syndrome that is dementia, I realize that it doesn’t mean the end of life.  It changes our views and perceptions of what is around us, and how we communicate and drink in that which we find suitable.  

I have provided, below, a list of articles for your perusal.  I have also, above in the menu, listed some blogs, some of which are written by those suffering from LBD, or did suffer.  It’s interesting how the demand for answers becomes more urgent once we have the diagnosis, rather than we collect it as we live and observe.   I’m hoping this blog has helped with much of that.

Web Articles

• Depression and anxiety
• Feelings of Dementia With Anxiety
• We fear dementia more than cancer
• Free-Floating Fear of Dementia
• Alzheimer's in the news: fear and fascination
• There's no need to fear dementia. The end of the epidemic …
• Anxiety and fear
• Fear of Dementia