[NicknamedBob]

"I don’t know whether to be “happy” Alzheimer’s was the final diagnosis, or sad that your dad (and your mother) suffered so. But did he know he suffered?"

Bill Cosby said his father told him once, "Don't worry about getting senile. If it happens to you, you won't know it."

[Tax-chick]

And President Reagan said, “Alzheimer’s isn’t all bad ... you meet so many wonderful new people every day, like your wife, your driver, your secretary ...”.

Dad did suffer from frustration at his incapacity, as well as from anxiety. Even if you don’t remember yesterday, facing each day in a “new” environment with “new” people is frightening. But it’s over now.

The diagnosis gives a heads-up to the next generation. Mom says Alzheimer’s tracks through the female parent, so my brother and I are not at above-average risk, but my children will be. If research advances on preventive treatment, it will be valuable for them to know they have a hereditary tendency.