I can still remember back in the 70's and 80's when senile dementia was tied to poor nutrition. I believe this; no, not a cure but it does help if the person gets better nutrition and I use supplement drinks to help.

My DH is 96 and passes the test with 25 out of 30 so the determination is not dementia. "Age related memory loss" is what I have been told.

I focus on keeping him calm, happy and as healthy as I can. This gives new meaning to "One Day at a Time."

You ain't kidding. But how do you know when it is dementia AND Alzheimers kicking in. I cannot enjoy a conversation with mum in the present anymore. If it is somlong past thing, she can tell the story. I think I have to now step aside so she can get qualified for more full time Home attendant at ninety-one going on niney-two by November. Any advice is helpful. I am the only son an oldest of two. Her (gay) daughter is NO help and has always been against me (fourteen years my junior) for some unknown reason. I am engaged to marry and move out of state. This is becoming too much for me, even part-time for a sweet lady.

I appreciated your message of hope but what i got from the article was be mindful of every moment which is what i need to hear right now, my mom is not doing well & no drug or therapy has helped. At all. Its sad & heartbreaking and i need to just accept what i have left of her.

I felt the number of times in the article the writer said "it's hopeless," in different ways was overkill. It seems like that was the point of the article, which is harmful instead of helpful. Whatever good may have been intended was completely buried by this "hopeless" message. The truth is, people do plateau. No one knows how long that will last because everyone is different. The truth is, Aricept and Namenda help A LOT. The truth is, the beginning is the worst. The shock of hearing about this new reality is devastating enough to kill you, but when you adjust--and you will adjust--you will find a joy and strength in the small victories you have...and the truth is, you can still have small victories.

Excellent reminder. Even knowing this to be the case I need to remind myself once in a while. I hate dementia, it robs it's suffers of so much.

Thank you, Rick, for another excellent article. My Dad is just starting his journey with dementia at 94, and the three simple things you mentioned I need to keep remembering as I worry so much about him. Especially knowing he is safe, which he is as he is living in an outstanding senior community.