Behaviors or WTDWTD have many components. We discussed where the disease starts or concentrates in the brain, determines what behavior or function loses show up first. Early in the disease, rarely do two different people act alike or have similar disabilities. Some people with Alzheimer's Disease loose the ability to speak early in the disease, others have mobility troubles early and yet others have neither of these two but have very faulty judgement. You probably have noticed that I did not mentioned memory loss.
Memory loss is the the most frequent symptom identified with the disease and yet it may or not be an early part of the disease. Although memory loss is not normal aging. Just, however, because a person does not have significant memory loss, does not mean there is no Alzheimer's disease. The memory loss, as well as the behaviors we have discussed, originate from the brain death that is occurring. It tough to think about but it is truly the cause of all we have discussed.
In addition to the brain tissue destruction which causes the behaviors, the person's own personality also contributes. Sometimes the person's characteristics become more exaggerated because the loss of the person's inhibitions allow a trait to become more exaggerated. Sometimes the loss of inhibitions allow the person to do some things they never would have done with the normal inhibitions in place.
Mom has always been kind of partial to men. She liked male MDs, and male waiters. She always was very discreet about these choices, but we kids knew this to be true. A few weeks ago, she said "hello Corey" to a male care giver as he passed by. One of the female caregivers said to Mom, "Helen, why do you remember his name and you don't remember mine?" Without missing a beat, Mom said"because he is better looking than you are!" With out the dementia, mom would never have said this, but she may have thought it. The disease allowed her to now say it. It was worth a good laugh and even she chuckled. Just another WTDWTD!!
God Bless and may She keep you in the palm of her hand!!
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