Alzheimers..........

[naomi24]

....surely the saddest and cruellest of afflictions, and often suffered by the gentlest and kindest people. How does religion justify that?

[NOX]

Like everything else I imagine Naomi, it'll be ' mankind's evil not God's' or ' a test'.

[micmak]

Didn't think you were in to religion naomi. A cruel disease yes. What has religion to to with it.

[wolf63]

I won't enter into the debate - but I agree with you that it is a terrible disease. Non-humans can also become senile but should their quality of life diminish we are legally allowed to let them go.

I know that euthanasia is a subject that people sometimes feel deeply about - for and against the ending of a life. At this point I will leave you to debate and I will toddle off to bed and turf the cat off the duvet.

[naomi24]

Nox, I'm expecting the 'test' excuse, but my question then is where is the justification in testing some so terribly cruelly and others not at all?

Micmak, since God allegedly created everything, from a religious point of view religion must have everything to do with it.

Wolf, yes, animals are afflicted with senility - I have a dog that is senile and blind and is happily living out her days - but unfortunately Alzheimers affects human beings very differently.

[ummmm]

Naomi, what's the difference between Alzheimers and dementia?

[trionam]

It cant for me because I no longer believe,my grandmother had it and my mother has a lot of faith no particular religon anymore I might add but still believes in gods plan ect so anything can be justified under that.But thats just how they feel its real easy when you think about it,much harder to look for other explainations.

[nungate]

I've heard that they are both forms of the same thing. My mum has been diagnosed with dementia, but has sometimes been referred to as having alzheimers

[ubasses]

alzheimers is one of the forms of dementia

[ummmm]

Thank you. My Nan has dementia and besides the memory loss she has no other symptoms.

[ubasses]

My Mum has vascular dementia, she can vary from week to week, but remembers very little of her life now

[naomi24]

That's the difference Ummmm.

[ummmm]

I thought it might be. And yes, a very cruel disease. Heart breaking, in fact.

[naomi24]

//alzheimers is one of the forms of dementia //

Not really. Dementia is a symptom of Alzheimers.

http://www.dementiagu...heimer's_and_Dementia

Just to be clear, that's not to say that all dementia patients have Alzheimers.

[RATTER15]

>>surely the saddest and cruellest of afflictions, and often suffered by the gentlest and kindest people. How does religion justify that?<<

I agree Naomi, the thing is that in many cases the person with the Dementia is not the one suffering, its the family of the sufferer that will suffer the most, of course all cases are different, in some cases the sufferer will also suffer dreadfully.

Either way it really is a dreadful disease with very little that can be done to help medically.

[RATTER15]

Naomi, Sorry but, Alzheimers is a type of Dementia. from you link (The difference between dementia and Alzheimer's is that Alzheimer's is a type of dementia.)

All my courses on the subject has also told me this is the case.

[naomi24]

Ratter. I'll agree with you where dementia is concerned, but dementia is not Alzheimers. I've seen Alzheimers patients suffer - and I mean really suffer - and the anguish and the mental torment some of them endure is horrendous! A living nightmare!

[RATTER15]

Naomi, I understand what you are saying and it does actually work both way, Dementia basically means the brain is not functioning properly (Demented) which is also a sign of Dementia. But Alzheimers is also classified as on of the Dementias.

[naomi24]

No Ratter, dementia is a symptom of Alzheimers. From my link. //Alzheimer's disease is a specific disease that causes dementia.// (Incidentally, like you, I also have professional experience).

[RATTER15]

I agree Naomi, I have seen it myself, reading between the lines I would guess you have had a family member suffer from this. It can be so distressing for all concerned.

I also work with a few that lead very happy lives, they are no longer with us in many ways mentally, this being the case they do not have a care in the world and will potter around with a teddy or cuddling a blanket and many childlike traits and are quite happy and loving individuals and a delight to be in their company.

[Khandro]

Q.How does religion justify Alzheimer's? A.It doesn't. Q.How does religion justify a healthy disease-free body? A.It doesn't.