Would you say someone has dementia when they can tell you that Micky Rooney died probably by choking?

Dementia patients have spotty memory. Mickey Rooney reaches far into distant memory, which seems to stay intact longer. But the statement "he choked to death" shows the recent memory isn't working. Rooney died in his sleep. Ask her what happened five minutes ago. Ask her if she took her pills. What did she eat yesterday.

It is amazing how specialized memory loss can be ... how we can remember odd things and forget important things. When my husband, who definitely had dementia confirmed by autopsy took a "current event" type memory test he got more answers right than I did.

So, yes, someone can remember what Mickey Rooney died from and still have dementia.

yes, it's still possible. memory is not always the most severely affected thing, especially in non-alzheimer's types of dementia.