An author and former physician, Dr. David Hilfiker was diagnosed in 2012 with a progressive mild cognitive impairment. His doctor thought it was Alzheimer's but additional testing proved this initial diagnosis to be wrong. Now David must learn how to come to terms with the reality of worsening cognitive issues that appear to have no cause.

Articles

Article
In 2012, I was diagnosed with cognitive impairment—most likely Alzheimer’s. I will share my experiences in an ongoing blog series on AgingCare.com, offering caregivers a unique perspective on what it's like to live "inside a fading mind."

Article
Being diagnosed with cognitive impairment (most likely Alzheimer's disease) has, in a way, freed me of a life-long fear of humiliating myself.

Article
I'm experiencing some of the unexpectedly positive aspects of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Article
I'm beginning to have concerns that my dementia may not only be impacting my behavior, but my overall sense of self, as well.

Article
I'm looking to the future and wondering how "aware" I'll be once I reach the advanced stages of Alzheimer's.

Article
There is an element of adventure in Alzheimer's disease.

Article
I wonder why more people with Alzheimer's don't resort to suicide, given the overall attitude towards the disease.

Article
In every stage of Alzheimer's disease people have "good" days where their symptoms lie dormant, and "bad" days where they feel the effects of the disease more profoundly. Here are some of the challenges I encounter during my "bad" days.

Article
As a former physician, I treasured my intellect and always thought that an Alzheimer's diagnosis would be one of the worst things that could happen to me. Now I'm being forced to face my greatest fear.

Article
My grandchildren have adopted a refreshing way of handling the effects of their grandfather's Alzheimer's disease.

Article
Alzheimer's is a disease that evokes great fear in many people. But where do these fears come from? Are they grounded in reality, or misunderstanding?

Article
An Alzheimer's diagnosis, while crushingly difficult to cope with for caregivers and sufferers alike, can be the source of hidden benefits--if you know where to look.

Article
It's a common caregiver lament that a loved one with dementia is "in denial" about their disease. But it may not always be denial that's preventing a person with Alzheimer's from recognizing their impairment.

Article
The Alzheimer's disease progression is different for each person who experiences it; and this disease is seriously beginning to affect my daily life.

Article
Men and women in the early stages of Alzheimer's occupy an odd limbo when they encounter medical professionals who don't know how to treat a person who has mild cognitive impairment.

Article
We all make mistakes, but Alzheimer's can cause some embarrassing mishaps. In some ways, Alzheimer's is forcing me to let go of perfectionism.

Article
I've been reflecting on how Alzheimer's might affect my future--especially my relationship with my wife and loved ones.

Article
Doctors cannot yet definitely diagnose Alzheimer's in a living person. The uncertainty caused by this state of limbo takes a toll on those with the disease, and their friends and family.

Article
I recently met a man with Alzheimer's who changed my outlook on my own future with Alzheimer's disease.

Article
I just received some startling news about the source of my cognitive impairment; causing me to question my experiences over the past few years.

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter