DEMENTIA AND OTHER ILLNESSES

Although it is true that if your dementia symptoms become Alzheimer's and you live long enough, your health will be damaged by the disease. However, during the dementia period, if you live a healthy life style, you will in fact probably be healthier than if you were not challenged by dementia.
With aging it is unusual not to have some ailments, such as heart disease, arthritis, prostate, breast cancer etc., but these are unlikely to be related to dementia.
With dementia comes a greater awareness of self and others. If you can control the natural tendency towards depression and live optimistically, your quality of life may actually improve. One learns to treasure every day and live with joy and gratitude, enjoying the many pleasures that life still holds.
There are many people who live for many years quite contentedly with dementia .It is not the end of the world and can in fact be a new beginning.
David Barnato.
Paarl. South Africa.