[GrandJediMasterYoda]

I don’t buy the dementia excuse, I think the guy is a massive alcoholic and that’s probably what is going on here. Prayers for him, I remember my teacher in the 1st grade giving us the lyrics to “I think I love you”, that must have been around 1972. That song was a massive hit and afterwards I don’t David was able to accept that afterwards his career in music didn’t continue. He said once in a interview he thought he was going to be the next Led Zeppelin lol. Comparing the Partridge family to Led Zeppelin? But it shows where his head was at.

[MayflowerMadam]

I think he did a relatively long run in “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on Broadway. He was a cutie when he was young.

[Vermont Lt]

Dementia is not often confused with alcoholism.

[boycott]

I don’t buy the dementia excuse, ...

—

You never know. I have a friend 55 that has it pretty bad. His father had it too.

[Jumper]

Our family is dealing with a former Special Forces V. Nam vet who has “mild” dementia. One of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met - a sharp mental giant who lacked formal education but has slipped - - I think David too has this condition.

[Mastador1]

One does not exclude the and most probably accelerated the situation, nor do I believe alcohol was the only substance he abused.

I don't think I ever heard that he did anything especially egregious, my sympathy to his family and I hope they don't keep him in medical limbo for too long.

[ican'tbelieveit]

alcoholism does cause a form of dementia. had a neighbor with it. she had a seizure one night, her ct scans showed some brain issues. doctors kept asking me if she drank a lot. Not that i know of. she was pretty effective at covering it up.

[caww]

......”I don’t buy the dementia excuse, I think the guy is a massive alcoholic and that’s probably what is going on here”.....

Both parents suffered with dementia so it’s likely it is as he says regardless if he drinks or not. Currently my family member shows serious signs of dementia, undergoing testing etc. ruling out ‘other’ possibilities has been exhausting for all with no concrete decision to date. But the signs are certainly apparent.

I say this because it’s a difficult diagnosis for the patient to contend with....without an alcohol problem...let alone having one to begin with.

[righttackle44]

I don’t buy alcoholism. My profession was in the field of consumer health and health care. I’ve never read or heard of any doctor mistaking dementia for alcoholism. I think you owe Mr. Cassidy and his family a very large apology.

[cva66snipe]

Dementia can often hit years before diagnoses. There are misconceptions out there. His lifestyle may have been a factor in him developing Dementia or even having it earlier. Dementia patients may be well aware of who they are, recognize their family and friends, etc, even up to the end but can't remember eating a meal. My sister died from it 2 years ago at age 62. She had gone through several Strokes prior and likely had began Dementia about 5-7 years prior. She knew me up until she went in a Coma. At Christmas time she talked to her kids over the phone and was well aware of all going on. In late March she passed.

Last February my Mom had a bad Stroke a bleeder. She was in ICU for just under three weeks then transferred to Rehab for three more weeks. In those three weeks she developed Dementia. By the last of April she had passed at age 86. I've worked in nursing homes before {non medical} and hers was one of the quickest cases I had seen.

[Yaelle]

He is indeed a massive alcoholic and his dementia could well be Korsakovs.

He was too famous too young, probably. It probably didn’t help him.

Poor guy. Prayers up.

[Chickensoup]

Alcoholics have a kind of early onset dementia. Commonly known as wet brain or Korsocoffs (sp)syndrome.

[Old Yeller]

I don’t think it’s dementia either. I think it’s alcohol. I know someone who has been drinking consistently for decades and her short term memory is shot.

[Wiser now]

https://www.lbda.org/category/3437/what-is-lbd.htm

Lewy Body Dementia, the same thing that Robin Williams had.
It killed my brother in less than two years.