Rise in the number of people with dementia

[dave50]

I would have thought it was obvious why this is the case. It's the elephant in the room. There are too many people being kept alive on medication and getting too old. No doubt i will get abuse for stating un unpalatable truth but someone needs to say it.

[venator]

I'm ready for the Bromptons Cocktail as soon as I start forgetting to zip up my trousers...

Oh Hell! I thought it was getting cold down there.....

[notasyoungasiwas]

I'm shocked dave, your thread is like an attack on the elderly - 'getting too old' what the hell does that mean? Was my lovely Gran too old at 88 then in your opinion? We ALL grow old.

[pastafreak]

ooops....so sorry carakeel. I just noticed before I saw your correction. Damn-that's the problem with getting doddery-you can't see any more.....lol

[Carakeel]

My ratter works with elderly with severe dementia and I do a bit of volunteer work at the residential home where he works too. We have both studied many courses relating to the elderly as well as dementia. To me it is a privilege to be able to spend time with the residents in ratter's care. Sometimes people forget that the person with the dementia is usually unaware that they have it and to them they are still the person they used to be. Quite often they see themselves still in their childhood, still needing to do their homework etc. Behind the dementia live master craftsmen, accomplished dancers, mothers, fathers, teachers, adventurers, successful business men etc. etc. and it is so important that we never forget this. They were once us - and we may one day be like them! Dementia has no age and it doesn't discriminate! Even with people with severe dementia you can often see clearly that the person they were before the dementia is still there, just hidden behind an invisible wall. Rather than think of them as people who are too old or are not worth keeping alive, we owe it to them to respect them and give them the most comfortable life we can. There is no acceptable reason to withhold life enhancing / life prolonging medication from anyone because of their dementia or their age! Just my opinion and I know some will not agree. Maybe it is because you have not had the chance to spend time with people like this, or had the chance to realise that most "old" people actually enjoy their lives.

[jake-the-peg]

My father has dementia.

He has the second most common cause which is vascular - the carotid artery not supplying enough blood to the brain.

It's been slowly developing for many years nothing to do with living too long

Everything to do with lack of exercise and poor diet.


If you have a sedentary lifestyle and are a bit overweight I would urge you to get your cholesterol checked and to take it seriously.

In the last year I've visited him in a stroke ward



There are worse things than a heart attack

[Nibble]

I notice dave's not come back - no doubt watching from afar....

[cazzz1975]

no, dave likes to light the touch paper and then move to a safe distance to view the fireworks.

what a great guy..

[boxtops]

..an asset to Answerbank... happy Christmas Dave (oops, oh no, you don't like Christmas either...)

[old-wos-is-name]

dave should hope doesn't get an early call from above, and need resusitation from any of you lot, because, after reading all the replies, He's had it.

[Teddy_boy]

Longevity is a strain on all departments of the health service.It is the price of progress , as a democratic state we have to accept this.

[wildwood]

I wholeheartedly agree with you dave50... you will get abused for making such a stupid statement.

What is too old? Shall we withhold all medicines from folks over 50?

I have never called anyone a name on AB, and there have been occasions when I would have been justified, but you are a moron.

[seadogg]

What I find most worrying is that the Abuse Hotline for care homes has had 2000 plus calls in 6 months, (Independent Monday). We need to be realistic about the funding and quality of care offered to some of these poor people.

Bravo Carakeel, Ratter and the many lovely friends of our who work in these places. and Happy Xmas Dave!

[askyourgran]

You didn't have to say anything dave when you get older you'll have to cross your fingers and toes if as you say there is a rise in the number of people with dementia. It's a sad and cruel illness that can strike someone of 45 it's not just for wrinklies.

[dave50]

I admit I dont know what the answer is, I was just stating a fact. While we are on the subject of caring for the elderly, those people who say relatives should be taking care of them, just pause for a moment, the son and daughters having to wash or bath their parents, feed them and even take them to the toilet and clean them up afterwards? How many elderly people would like the thought of their children having to perform such intimate care on them? I know I wouldnt, it's a role reversal that would be humiliating for both parties.

[sophie_1003]

I think most people would rather do that than withold medication and let their parents die though.

[B00]

I can sort of see what Dave here is getting at, however unpalatable, some of his points ARE valid.

We are now of a generation where we can't or wont look after our elderly relatives- so where does that leave them?

[emmie]

most people would find it near impossible looking after a parent if they work full time, and as many do, then the only solution, often a poor one, is to put them into a care home. That is not to suggest that they are disposable once old, perhaps suffering from dementia, nor should be treated shabbily, and sometimes seems the case.