General Discussion

Heywood J

(2,515 posts)

75. Good points.

Wed Apr 10, 2013, 09:38 PM

Apr 2013

I don't think that, in the Westminster system, you can hide dementia or Alzheimer's in nearly the same way as with the Presidential system where handlers can delegate tasks and compensate or hide someone. The Prime Minister is still a member of Parliament and has to participate in Parliamentary business, in addition to the duties of state and then those of party leader on top. It's a demanding job with a high workload.

I can't in any way see Reagan going through any of that at any point in his career. She was heartless, he was senile.

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Is it coincidental that both Reagan and Thatcher had dementia? [View all] BlueStreak Apr 2013 OP

It's not a communicable disease defacto7 Apr 2013 #1

No. They were just both old. WinkyDink Apr 2013 #2

i don't know. i think clones might have the same characteristics and defects. eom ellenfl Apr 2013 #76

The coincidence is they both grew old BainsBane Apr 2013 #3

Alz's is very very sad to watch Bryn Apr 2013 #4

I'm not wishing it on anybody. They had it. BlueStreak Apr 2013 #8

The unforgivable issue here Kelvin Mace Apr 2013 #52

Agreed. Anyone with their finger on the potential button needs to be mentally competent. Butterbean Apr 2013 #61

And the press surely knew as well BlueStreak Apr 2013 #72

I found it karmic and MOST satisfying when I read an article about his fading days calimary Apr 2013 #5

Beautifully written and so true. JDPriestly Apr 2013 #7

Thank you. calimary Apr 2013 #9

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Apr 2013 #11

+100! n/t Lugnut Apr 2013 #14

This message was self-deleted by its author TimberValley Apr 2013 #22

There's one problem with all of that Floyd_Gondolli Apr 2013 #31

True enough. All we get is a very small consolation. calimary Apr 2013 #41

BTW Floyd_Gondolli Apr 2013 #45

I forget where I read that, dammit! But it made a powerful impression. calimary Apr 2013 #47

I am afraid that I cannot take pleasure in the suffering of others Kelvin Mace Apr 2013 #51

Fair enough. There are just a few people I've observed through my life - over whom I'm having calimary Apr 2013 #66

Yes...to all of that. PCIntern Apr 2013 #65

I'm in the beginning stages of dealing with dementia with my father. Butterbean Apr 2013 #6

I was exactly where you are two years ago, when my mom started her rapid decline into dementia Blaukraut Apr 2013 #28

Boy oh, boy...the anger issues sure do rear their ugly heads, don't they? Butterbean Apr 2013 #58

I am so sorry Kelvin Mace Apr 2013 #53

Thanks. I'm learning to deal. It was shocking how fast he declined, which was unexpected. Butterbean Apr 2013 #56

Your theory only makes sense if conservatives have dementia at a higher rate than liberals. TimberValley Apr 2013 #10

Well, we haven't had any other Presidents with dementia recently. BlueStreak Apr 2013 #12

What if............ TimberValley Apr 2013 #21

If it happens, I'l consider it. The thesis is ... BlueStreak Apr 2013 #23

Medical authorities tell oldsters to do crossword puzzles; take college classes; develop new hobbies byeya Apr 2013 #43

From personal experience, I was getting forgetful, and getting on the treadmill Cleita Apr 2013 #71

I am not into conspiracy theories, however, let's say I was graham4anything Apr 2013 #57

This message was self-deleted by its author TimberValley Apr 2013 #59

I am not into conspiracy theories, however, what scans? Who released them? graham4anything Apr 2013 #62

Yes. It is a coincidence. BlueCheese Apr 2013 #13

...by the END of his term? notgoinback Apr 2013 #15

Welcome to DU, notgoinback! calimary Apr 2013 #16

It was the elephant in the room. BlueStreak Apr 2013 #18

The obvious point in your post is that the media was complicent. Boomerproud Apr 2013 #60

I never believed Reagan had alzheimer's. MelungeonWoman Apr 2013 #17

The average is seven years Kelvin Mace Apr 2013 #55

My Grandma lived about 20 years after diagnosis. n/t cherokeeprogressive Apr 2013 #63

I am pretty sure that Maggie didn't have dementia when in office LeftishBrit Apr 2013 #19

I'll buy that. BlueStreak Apr 2013 #24

"Vascular dementia" -- that was my father's fate Kolesar Apr 2013 #29

Yes, succinct and accurate siligut Apr 2013 #40

Good points. Heywood J Apr 2013 #75

Yes, it is a coincidence. slackmaster Apr 2013 #20

I have. Several times. What's your point? BlueStreak Apr 2013 #25

I find your speculation in the OP odd and troubling. slackmaster Apr 2013 #30

As they say, your concern is duly noted BlueStreak Apr 2013 #35

1) AD, if that is what we are talking about, begins decades before diagnosis Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #26

Thank you. That's the kind of thing I was was wondering about BlueStreak Apr 2013 #27

Yeah, I could see that was what you were asking Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #33

To the indignation trolls, if one mentions sex, then one is automaticlaly a sexist BlueStreak Apr 2013 #36

As i wrote above, I think you are asking an honest question based on verified observations. byeya Apr 2013 #44

My observation is that dementia causes the real person to emerge uncensored Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2013 #32

I might disagree Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #34

Case in point, I had a coworker a few years back BlueStreak Apr 2013 #38

There is also the issue of disinhibition Duer 157099 Apr 2013 #39

The "Dirty Old Men" in nursing homes. hunter Apr 2013 #77

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Apr 2013 #37

I think they were just "dark, hollow people without a lick of empathy". bemildred Apr 2013 #42

If a President is willing to sign right wing free trade acts.... NCTraveler Apr 2013 #46

Anecdotally, my only grandparent to die from dementia-related illness was sadbear Apr 2013 #48

Reagan's mental deterioration began to manifest Kelvin Mace Apr 2013 #49

Probably is a coincidence treestar Apr 2013 #50

Alzheimer's Facts and Figures DonViejo Apr 2013 #54

Crazy nickchorey Apr 2013 #64

Welcome to DU nickchorey! hrmjustin Apr 2013 #68

I keep asking that last question too. Cleita Apr 2013 #70

Make it three! *sigh* Rhiannon12866 Apr 2013 #78

No. And it's not coincidental that they ruined the lives of many British and American citizens. Lint Head Apr 2013 #67

I wonder if being stubborn and intractable is a sign that people will Cleita Apr 2013 #69

I don't know, but BECOMING stubborn and intractable BlueStreak Apr 2013 #73

I knew a well known actor who belonged to the Actors Guild when Reagan was President of the Guild Cleita Apr 2013 #74