Dementia

[rov1200]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8457968.stm

There is currently no cure for dementia so is there a point in being diagnosed and being stigmatised? There is a plan by the NHS to get more people tested for it.

[jno]

There may be no cure yet, but it could happen in the future; when it does it will be useful to know who's got it, I suppose. Testing may also help eliminate the possibility of other illnesses.

[LoftyLottie]

I don't think I would want to know actually. I don't care about being stigmatised particularly, but I would rather just jog along happily being oblivious about it for as long as possible.

My memory is definitely deteriorating with age, I do stupid things (but I always have) but I don't worry about it. What on earth could I do if I tested positive. All it would do would mean is that I would be permanently unhappy and worried.

[LoftyLottie]

Well they could test me for it to help eliminate the possibility of other diseases as long as they didn't tell me if I had it!!

[jno]

if you were you probably wouldn't care, Lottie. I think the diagnosis is of more use for those who have to care for sufferers rather than for the sufferers themselves.

[ummmm]

My Nan has it and up till about a year ago she could see the funny side. It's very sad now though.

[LoftyLottie]

Just read my second sentence in the second para in my first reply on this?? See what I mean - totally doolally!! Can't even construct a sentence.

[dothawkes31]

it may actually be deneficial to research if more people were tested, if the background and lifestyle statistics were looked at maybe there would be geographical or other links that showed certain areas or certain groups were more prone to suffering from the condition. How do they test for it anyway? Do they ask if you are a member on here first off?

[LoftyLottie]

My mother had vascular dementia in her last few years (not alzheimers). She knew things were wrong and was constantly wanting reassuring that she didn't have dementia right up until her last week of life. If she had been told she had she would have been distraught and worried sick. Even people with quite advanced dementia can have good reasoning skills. It was heartbreaking.

[LoftyLottie]

It's important to realise that dementia takes many forms. Alzheimers is only one form.

[jno]

yes, good point, Dot; it's not that easy to research a disease when you don't know who's got it.

[youngmafbog]

Perhaps I am missing something but this link reports:
"The plans include action to boost early diagnosis and better patient and carer support. "
This does not imply everyone will get tested, even if it is in your familly. I would suggest it aims ,certainly initially, at diagnosing thse who have it. This is reinfored by the report that doctors dont recognise it.
Dementure is a terrible thing. My Mother in law has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's although apparently it is impossible to be 100% until you die and they look at the state of the brain. Of course she is oblivious but my Missus has a nightmare. Getting care plans are not easy either, you simply have to push push push. We were lucky that her doctor did recognoze it, the advantages of living in a high elderly population area I guess

[rov1200]

Surely if you knew you had it after being diagnosed it would affect your being allowed to drive even if you just had the mild version. Also insurance companies would avoid you like you had the plague. Also the self awareness that your brain is deteriorating would put more stress on living. You may feel a burden on your relatives and have guilt pangs. The carer would be more aware of your condition but should they spill the beans to you.