Elizabeth Taylor Has Alzheimer's Disease

All Headline News ^ | 5.26.06 | Chistina Ficara

[gopwinsin04]

Elizabeth Taylor Has Alzheimer's

May 26, 2006 1:45 p.m. EST

Christina Ficara - All Headline News Staff Reporter

(BANG) - Elizabeth Taylor is reportedly suffering from Alzheimer's disease. According to reports, the Oscar-winning legend - who has been suffering from dementia for several months - has in fact been struck down by thedegenerating illness.

A friend told: "Elizabeth is now beingtreated for early stages of Alzheimer's...At this point there is very little that can be done. She confided to her specialists that she finds herself more and more confused."

The 74-year-old screen legend, who has survived a brain tumour and severalstrokes, is alleged to often feel delusional because of the condition which affects the memory of sufferers.

The source added: "Liz wakes up sometimes and really doesn't know where she is and she's scared."

[after dark]

I hope this is just rumor.

If true though it would help bury the notion that Alzheimers is the disease of people who were unintelligent when they young.

[TravisBickle]

For those who require pictures:

[tet68]

Poor lady, she'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Uncle Hal]

I had a good friend whose mother had this disease. She could not remember what city she was in or where the bathroom was that she used just 2 hours ago. However she could remember the names of neighbors from fifty years ago and the names of their dogs as well (which her husband and kids could not recall). Weird. Liz Taylor in her day was the most beautiful and sexy actress that ever lived. And a great actress as well.

[NEPA]

My mother has Alzheimer's. It is such a cruel disease. I'm doing my best to take care of her but it's getting difficult.

[BW2221]

"I wonder if all the booze and pills had something to do with it."

If that didn't, hanging out with Michael Jackson probably did.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

My mother has Alzheimer's. It is such a cruel disease. I'm doing my best to take care of her but it's getting difficult.

God bless you for even trying to care for her. It is difficult. I took care of an elderly woman who had it as a second, part-time job. When she would cry about something I ended up crying right along side her because I just felt so helpless against what the disease did to her ability to grasp things. I hope you are looking into support groups that focus on those who care for Alzheimer's patients. Try to stay strong and take care of yourself as well.

[Clintonfatigued]

This is a tragedy for a very talented lady, albeit one who has previously shown poor judgement. I wish her the best.

[basil]

Ronald Reagan had been diagnosed with Alzeimer's years before his death, as I recall.

[monkapotamus]

[freedumb2003]

How sad -- prayers for her.

[tortoise]

Or as it is now called in some gerontology research circles, Type 3 diabetes. Preventable, but very difficult to undo. There is a fair amount of research on reversing insulin damage being done, since many types of cardiovascular issues over 60 are primarily caused by insulin damage.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I'm doing my best to take care of her but it's getting difficult.

My prayers are with you. My mother died from Alzheimer's three years ago. She had the disease for about four years. My wife and I did this same thing but a time is going to come when you are going to have to place your mother where people can care for her. My experience taught me that you need to use your brain and not your heart when it comes to dealing with a person suffering from this disease. Do what you have to do and you cannot feel bad about it. I put my mother in a home where she could be cared for 24 hours a day by people who knew what they were doing. It was hard but it was the smart and right thing to do.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

I hope I remember to look for the interview.

She is a survivor and one gutsy woman.

I wish her well.

[CremeSaver]

My mother in law had it as well. When my husband and I would visit her she would always sit next to me as if frightened by my husband. She would always ask me who is the man with me? The man was her own son. I know it hurt my husband badly.

She always enjoyed looking at old photo albums and would point to my husband pictured as a young boy, teen, or young man. She would tell me that was her son "who was such a good boy," but that she hasn't seen him in a very long time. It was sad.

Prayers for Elizabeth Taylor and your Mom. This is indeed a cruel disease for the person and their loved ones. God bless you and may He give you strength, NEPA.

[Pompah]

She was very good in "GIANT" along-side James Dean.

But my all-time favorite Liz Taylor movie has to be "Butterfield 8 " What a Babe.!!

[ContraryMary]

God bless you. My prayers for your mom and for you and your family.

[NormsRevenge]

My ma-in-law is early stages here as well.

I understand what you are going thru just from a care standpoint..

It's a cruel thing to watch as one's loved ones age under duress not of their own making, She takes some meds, I am not so sure how successful they are, not for everyone by any means, but there is a lot of research going on so here's to better ways of combatting it.

I wish Liz well and a Thank You for her life's work.

[floriduh voter]

I think you're correct. There are different stages of dementia. It can even be called mild or severe dementia.

As long as she can recognize people and take care of her own needs, etc., she's got mild dementia for the time being.

I guess she'll explain her status on Larry King.

[SJSAMPLE]

Don't forget "Maggie the Cat" ;)

Having her in that role makes it easy to overlook or even forget Tennessee Williams homosexual undertones.

Heck, what boy could catch "The Gay" with her as his woman.