I lost my father to Lewy body and I watched the progression. It is horrible to see the person you love trying to peek from behind a cloud that only grows thicker.
It is also so very important that we talk about it openly because, as Dr Ellen Langer would tell us, casting aside the fear that we may end up in that same place someday only tells our brains that we expect it as the likely outcome.
Changes in cognition are common but we really do need to stop with the everyday excuse of “aging” meaning we should expect, welcome, and even resign ourselves to the forward march of time?
I completely agree that it's terrible to watch, and also important to talk about - much of why I want to share my story and challenges here. I'm sorry you experienced this pain with your father, too.
And yes I think it's a balance when it comes to how we think about our own futures. I feel like I've moved from being crippled by fear, to more of a curiosity and desire to be informed. I'm committed to controlling what I can, without letting fear consume my ability to enjoy my life now.
Neat article, Anna. THIS 'But here’s the reality that we don’t usually hear in the headlines: our dementia risk isn’t really increasing aside from the “risk” of living longer. Actual prevalence and incidence are decreasing when you control for age.' interesting, I haven't looked at the most recent stats.
Thanks Victoria. Yes, I didn't realize that the risk is decreasing until recently, and it's definitely not what many of the headlines would have us believe!
I lost my father to Lewy body and I watched the progression. It is horrible to see the person you love trying to peek from behind a cloud that only grows thicker.
It is also so very important that we talk about it openly because, as Dr Ellen Langer would tell us, casting aside the fear that we may end up in that same place someday only tells our brains that we expect it as the likely outcome.
Changes in cognition are common but we really do need to stop with the everyday excuse of “aging” meaning we should expect, welcome, and even resign ourselves to the forward march of time?
I completely agree that it's terrible to watch, and also important to talk about - much of why I want to share my story and challenges here. I'm sorry you experienced this pain with your father, too.
And yes I think it's a balance when it comes to how we think about our own futures. I feel like I've moved from being crippled by fear, to more of a curiosity and desire to be informed. I'm committed to controlling what I can, without letting fear consume my ability to enjoy my life now.
Neat article, Anna. THIS 'But here’s the reality that we don’t usually hear in the headlines: our dementia risk isn’t really increasing aside from the “risk” of living longer. Actual prevalence and incidence are decreasing when you control for age.' interesting, I haven't looked at the most recent stats.
Thanks Victoria. Yes, I didn't realize that the risk is decreasing until recently, and it's definitely not what many of the headlines would have us believe!