ELDER TALK: Robin WIlliams and Dad

I often think of Dad (that's a lie...I think about him every day) and as I have said before, even though I miss him I am glad he is not here if he would have to suffer from his illness.  He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. I always had my doubts about that and after hearing the latest news about Robin Williams I have even more doubts.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2829868/Robin-Williams-suicide-triggered-hallucinations-devastating-form-dementia.html

The following is a link from the Mayo Clinic on Lewy Body Dementia:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lewy-body-dementia/basics/definition/con-20025038

Years ago when I was barely a teenager most older people who were forgetful were called senile.  As I got older the blanket diagnosis was Alzheimer's. 

Dad started deteriorating around the early 2000s but it really came to a head in 2007 when he would start with the hallucinations, particularly at night.  He would wake up and think the apartment was robbed.  He would occasionally ask if our apartment was actually our apartment.  IN 2008 he was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Mind you, according to his doctors there was no official blood test to determine this.  Just a list of symptoms and general observation.  Like I said I have my doubts.

I am not a holistic nut but I do believe that what you put into your body early on can come back to haunt you later.  If you smoke consistently when you are 20 you will hurt yourself when you get to 50.  Dad was a drinker.  He drank consistently until 1984 when he was in his mid-50s.  He was forced to because the alcohol was killing him.  His last time drinking landed him in the hospital with pancreatitis.  He never had another drink rom that point but I think the damage was done.  He was never a big man even though he was six foot one.  He was never heavier than 160 pounds and always had a very slim build. Even though I lack the scientific data I believe that years of drinking along with not being well nourished (he ate like a bird) led to his later condition whether it was Alzheimer's or Lewy Body.  By the time I reach 60 I think we will have at least five major forms of dementia and we won't just refer to it as Alzheimer's Disease.