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‘Hard to know’ if Bruce Willis is aware of dementia condition, wife says
(www.theguardian.com)
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this post was submitted on 25 Sep 2023
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Unfortunately, the only face this disease gets is when a celebrity or politician is struck with it. In terms of dementia awareness, that's all there is. My interest in the article was about the disease, not the individual. There wasn't much information there, but awareness is important. Dementia is increasing in the population, partly due to an increase in average age.
I think there's awareness of the disease, just not enough to have better support for the family. It seems anyone I talk to about it has someone close who did or is going through some level, so dementia is not a secret itself, but more a thing that people just "deal with". But that's true of a health in general, the infrastructure for need is lacking.
That's true. But, I think for many, it's kind of a black box. How it progresses isn't something people want to think about. It's pretty unpleasant, but is also a vital part of that support for the family you mention. Having something to compare their own experiences with. Being able to ask is this normal. That sort of thing.
It's a very sad disease.
The only people I've spoken to who really understand what a family goes through are ones who have experienced it as well. We knew it was a possibility with our mom, because our great aunt had dementia. My mom made arrangements, yet I'll be damned she fought implementing those arrangements tooth and nail. She knew something was happening to her, and she became stubborn; wouldn't go see a doctor because more than likely she was afraid to hear what she already knew.
Ulitmately she went into the hospital for an unrelated matter, and was finally diagnosed. Yet by that time the disease was well underway. There wasn't much to do except setup care and eventually hospice about four years after her diagnosis. She passed away late last year.