http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcWkysR3WEw[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcWkysR3WEw[/embedyt]A number of conditions cause dementia-like symptoms, and doctors may have trouble diagnosing them. Still, the odds usually are low that an elderly family member can be made cognitively normal. Marquel had trouble believing this story, Is It Really Dementia? First of all he knows plenty of young twenty somethings with children who prefer faking dementia to talking with their children. It’s not easy to distinguish it from the real thing when the motivation is so high.
Secondly, dementia isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Look at Reagan. He had dementia since he was elected president and full fledged Alzheimer’s only months later. He tore down the wall! Or at least asked Mr Gorbachev to do it for him. The world is now a better place. Look at Ukraine and Crimea. So we might think about the blessings of dementia.
But most of all Marquel was upset by the Times claim that an elderly family member cannot be made cognitively normal. What in the world does that mean? Why would you want them “normal?” They’re old and demented. That’s already normal for old people. Should they start chasing skirts and trousers? That’s what tired them out in the first place.
Marquel went to Dementia House, on Park Avenue to discuss the problem.
“If there are so many types of dementia,” I asked, “maybe it’s just part of getting old.” I said. “Maybe it’s nice to get to a point in your life when your spouse is bothering you for the 63rd year in a row and finally you get to say, “Hey who the hell are you? Where did Marilyn Monroe go?”
“Actually that’s being cruel, Marquel,” said the doctor. “People with dementia are not that happy.”
“How do you know?” I asked. “They have dementia. They might not communicate well.”
“They don’t. But there are clear signs of depression.”
“That’s not surprising,” said I, “you’re 80 years old, not much to look forward to, so depression would seem normal too. But if it were me, I might choose dementia so the next pills they brought me, I could give names to. There’s Bill, and Joe, and Jerry. Oh, Jerry fell down! Don’t you think dementia might be their only recreation?” I asked.
“I think you’re making light of a serious situation. These people can’t take care of themselves, can’t feed themselves, they can’t function.” He said.
“I know that but maybe that’s better than trying and failing. They have heart disease, cancer, pulmonary difficulties. Maybe they want to forget about everyone else, and themselves as well.”
“That’s not how we see it.” He said.
“Did you ask them?” I asked.
“”How can we?” He asked.
“That’s my point.” We said good by and I went up to Mufi’s to help make noodles and the plat du jour, which was baby pig.
“Mufi,” I asked, ” what do they do about dementia in China?” I asked.
“Not much. We have very little of that.”
“Really?” I wondered
“Really. We have wisdom instead. It tends to be very enlightening if you’re willing to listen.” He asserted.
“But do they get depressed?” I asked.
“Are you crazy, my little Marquel. They’re ninety years old. Of course!” He confirmed.
“Of course,” I said, and we had some barbecued baby pork with string beans and garlic.
***
BY MARQUEL: Dementia, Another Name for “Go Away!”
Perfect pitch
Ditto
Ditto2