Dementia does not discriminate

The big news today was the passing of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. A polarizing political figure, my father was definitely never a fan of hers. However, my father ended up having something in common with her when her daughter revealed in 2008 that Thatcher suffered from dementia. A powerful woman who was known for her sharp and keen intellect, her memory was destroyed by disease over the last several years of her life. It’s a cruel twist of fate for sure, regardless of how you feel about her political career.

Dementia does not discriminate between rich and poor. Political allies and world leaders Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan battled dementia at the end of their lives. While it’s true that the economic burden of the disease is lifted for the rich and famous, it doesn’t take away the fact that all of the money and power in the world can’t cure dementia.

Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness advocates know the horrors of this disease and the damage it does to families. High-profile cases bring greater awareness, not that I ever want another person diagnosed with this dreaded disease. But in our society, the rich and famous do have power to highlight the various injustices of the world, from disease to poverty to racism. Maybe other world leaders will take note and reconsider better research funding for Alzheimer’s and related dementias.