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Alzheimer’s Notes

Charlton Heston and Alzheimer’s Disease.

by Liz Lewis on April 10th, 2008

In 2002 Charlton Heston announced that he was suffering symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Last week he passed away. In memory of this actor, here’s a couple of videos reflecting on his life…

Discussing Alzheimer’s Disease in a 2002 interview with Peter Jennings…

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Mary Emma Allen
Apr 10, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Thank you for posting these videos and sharing, Liz. I’m of the era where Charlton Heston was a hero to young people and adults and I saw many of his movies as they came out. He and his wife also show us how to face Alzheimer’s with dignity.
Paula from Caring
Apr 11, 2008 at 9:30 am

Yes thanks for finding & pointing out these particular videos. Esp. the second one was so moving, I linked to them/you at Caring’s new Caring Currents blog today:
http://www.caring.com/blogs/caring-currents/why-do-dementia-caregivers-avoid-help
Mary Emma Allen
Apr 11, 2008 at 11:01 am

Thank you, Paula, for visiting Alzheimer’s Notes and for linking to us at Caring Currents. Since so many well-known people are speaking up about Alzheimer’s, there doesn’t seem to be the stigma attached that existed when my mom and aunt experienced this disease.
Paula from Caring
Apr 11, 2008 at 11:09 am

Stigma about the disease definitely dropping…but what do you think about the stigma about seeking therapy if you’re a dementia caregiver? So many social workers have told me people are reluctant to tap into this kind of help…which is surprising when you think baby boomers are more pro-therapy than out parents…
Paula from Caring
Apr 11, 2008 at 11:09 am

oops, make that “our” parents
Mary Emma Allen
Apr 12, 2008 at 3:16 pm

Paula, would caregivers think they must manage this by themselves rather than asking for help in the caring or seeking it for themselves? In my era, seeking therapy for oneself was admittance of defeat. It generally was a “no-no”. The younger generation (baby boomers’ children) are more involved with therapy. So perhaps many of the baby boomers are in the transition generation?
Jean Murray
Apr 13, 2008 at 5:06 pm

Thanks for posting this. Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease. People need to know more about it, and
we need to dedicate more money to finding a cure.

Jean
Liz Lewis
Apr 14, 2008 at 8:43 am

Hi everyone, glad you found the videos on Charlton Heston interesting.
Charles Heston and Alzheimer’s - A Terrible Way to Die
Apr 14, 2008 at 5:35 pm

[…] Mary Emma Allen includes some video interviews with Mr. Heston and his wife in her Alzheimer’s… […]
Charles Heston and Alzheimer’s - A Terrible Way to Die | money news blog
Apr 14, 2008 at 10:10 pm

[…] Mary Emma Allen includes some video interviews with Mr. Heston and his wife in her Alzheimer’s… […]
Richard
Apr 15, 2008 at 5:22 pm

My mom passed away three years ago from Alzheimer’s. The last few months were the sweetest and saddest of my life.

She had some dementia but the most imaginative and creative I’ve heard. At one point she (then 81) told me she was a spy for the Queen of England. She often spoke of lunch with Bobby Kennedy.

What hurt and surprised us the most was how quickly she died after being diagnosed as terminal. We had thought there would be more time with her.

Now my doctor tells me I should think about starting preventitive medication because at 59 I have lost some vocabulary and memory.

I do not look forward to a time I when wouldn’t know my wife or children.

Rich