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NewandTrying Asked May 2019

Too old for Alzheimer's?

Mom thinks that because she is 89 she is too old to get ALZ, because. " if I was going to get it, I'd have it by now."


I don't think this is necessary true, although it's probably unlikely to get ALZ at an advanced age.


BTW, I am not arguing that she HAS ALZ, just that it's possible she could at some point.


Opinions?

freqflyer May 2019
NewandTrying, all it takes is one serious fall where your Mom hits her head to turn the tide.

That is what happened to my Mom, who was in her late 90's. That fall put her into what was considered the last stage of dementia. My Mom was still pretty sharp prior to that fall.

Countrymouse May 2019
She might be right. But considering how many and varied are the types of dementia, and how vulnerable the aged brain is to one or more of them in all sorts of fascinating combinations, her point is highly academic to say the best of it.

One in three seniors dies with some form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Perhaps it would be nicer to say to her "I just checked, and you're right! You have a 66% chance of dying with all of your marbles intact. Isn't that a happy thought?"

More seriously, I should let her enjoy her sense of security, true or false. What harm can it do?

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