Illustration: Stuart Bradford
Dementia is often viewed as a disease of the mind, an illness that erases treasured memories but leaves the body intact.
But as I report in today’s Well column in Science Times, dementia is a physical illness, too — a progressive, terminal disease that shuts down the body as it attacks the brain. The lack of understanding about the physical toll of dementia means that many patients near the end of life are subjected to aggressive treatments that would never be considered with another terminal illness. [rc]
To learn more, read the full story, “Treating Dementia, but Overlooking Its Physical Toll”
Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
October 20, 2009
USA: The Wrong Care for Dementia Patients
.
NEW YORK, NY / The New York Times / AGING WELL / October 20, 2009
By Tara Parker-Pope
Illustration: Stuart Bradford
Dementia is often viewed as a disease of the mind, an illness that erases treasured memories but leaves the body intact.
But as I report in today’s Well column in Science Times, dementia is a physical illness, too — a progressive, terminal disease that shuts down the body as it attacks the brain. The lack of understanding about the physical toll of dementia means that many patients near the end of life are subjected to aggressive treatments that would never be considered with another terminal illness. [rc]
To learn more, read the full story, “Treating Dementia, but Overlooking Its Physical Toll”
Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
Illustration: Stuart Bradford
Dementia is often viewed as a disease of the mind, an illness that erases treasured memories but leaves the body intact.
But as I report in today’s Well column in Science Times, dementia is a physical illness, too — a progressive, terminal disease that shuts down the body as it attacks the brain. The lack of understanding about the physical toll of dementia means that many patients near the end of life are subjected to aggressive treatments that would never be considered with another terminal illness. [rc]
To learn more, read the full story, “Treating Dementia, but Overlooking Its Physical Toll”
Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
