Always Sad News When One is Diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease

My wife and I have had our fair share of dealing with parents with dementia. You feel like you've lost that person that you had always known as unfortunately, they will never be the same. Sad national news concerning wildlife conservationist Jack Hanna.

My dad was never officially diagnosed with the disease but we had many instances of dealing with memory loss in his later years. He couldn't remember names along with many events over the years that would normally come to him in an instant were no longer there to remember. A stroke later in life made it worse for him and his mental health progressively took a plunge.

For my wife it is her mother that we are still dealing with. She is in an assisted care facility in Sedalia. Her mom will call her numerous times throughout the day and evening repeating the same thing over and over and coming up with escapades that, in her mind, are taking place daily. We never know what to expect one day to the next and with every phone call.

Nationally, the news was released that Jack Hanna, the straight sidekick to many animal-related escapades to David Letterman, has been diagnosed with dementia and his family said in a statement that felt like the disease was worsening at a rapid rate.

Hannah appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman in 1985 and from there it took off for the wildlife conservationist. According to a statement from Hanna's family published on yahoo.com:

“While Dad’s health has deteriorated quickly, we can assure you that his great sense of humor still shines through. And yes — he still wears his khakis at home.”