A Cruel Joke
There's no definitive timeline for what aspects of the brain's abilities will be affected by dementia. But one influence for the order of events seems to be 'malicious humor.' To have a person lose the ability to reason, to remember, to use language, to conduct themselves properly...but yet they can still drive? So that they can go and show off to the world how poorly they function now? So they can become humiliated? Make themselves a target to all the criminals and con-artists looking for a vulnerable mark? The disease is bad enough, but the fact that the 'timeline' for 'what capabilities go at what time' isn't more conducive to allowing a dignified progression is just an extra slap in the face. My loved one is currently ignorant as to the humiliating things she's saying and doing in front of others. But an awareness of it--and crippling shame and self-awareness-- could kick in at any time. That ego and defiance w...