Just lost my MIL from it. Really sad to watch them get worse and worse. Fortunately, she knew who everyone was up until the end, altho she could not communicate. At least they said it was alzheimers. I wonder if they don't toss all dementia into that same diagnosis.....
susie
My FIL has it and it is really sad. There are different types. His began with small strokes in the brain over time and it is called dementia, but it all becomes Alzheimer's in the end.
All sorts of interesting theories are out there why it seems to be on the rise in the United States--everything from diet to presence of a virus. On an AD support board I visit, it is amazing how many of those who developed the disease also had pneumonia at some stage in their lives. I think the theory is like that of chicken pox, which can show up as shingles later in life. Whatever it is, I told my sons to shoot me if I ever develop it.