Life is a journey, fly high and enjoy it!
Dementia can be hereditary, albeit just a small percentage. My mother on one side, as well as my grandfather and his daughter from my father’s side, all died with dementia. Plus, I am female, and women have more of a risk of developing dementia than men. How unfair is that?
Do I panic? No, I hold onto one line that Prof. Charles Scerri has said to me and to others.
‘If you remember that you forget then you do not have dementia’.
Nothing can ever be foolproof but for my mind it is a comfort. And I know my friends ask the same questions. Turning 60 was a reality check and struggling with spelling, finding my phone, remembering words..agh..it is so annoying! Mild cognitive decline is what they call it, apart from the madness in my life. Should I order a brain scan? Would you? I choose not to. It would only accelerate my dementia if I do have it. So, let things be. I will live my life as is and hope my husband does not have to deal with my mental issues in the future. Although he says he will find another wife if I do 😊. Joking apart, why people pay for their future to be told, or read tea leaves is beyond me.
Cognitive decline can be the beginning of dementia, or it can just stop there. However, I really wanted a reassuring explanation about this decline so while Charles and I were on Campus FM radio with Sonia Young last week, I asked him the question myself. It was funny actually and I did laugh at myself, but I asked it for all my friends and others who are middle aged and over.
I really want to share this recording with you as, being the amazing expert that he is on dementia, I never stop learning from Charles, even though I have been listening to his advice and expertise for 20 years. Do not fret and do not worry. If we take his advice, look after our health and wellbeing, we should live our lives calmly and happily.
So here it is the link:
Nothing is set in stone so just live and try to find the happiness you seek. Do not aim high so you will not be disappointed. If we do get dementia, then we have to accept it and prepare for the better life that comes next. One day, a cure will be found but not in my lifetime so good luck to everyone else.