Don Hayen is a retired doctor, diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 71. But that diagnosis took way too long. Find out how his "cognitive reserve" fooled his doctors. See why he sure wished it hadn't.
Alzheimer's and Dementia Weekly regrets to inform our readers that Don Hayen passed away in the early morning hours of December 31, 2019, ending his long journey with Alzheimer’s, and permanently leaving his wife Jane, a daughter and son, and their respective spouses and six grandchildren.
The family suggests that those who wish to make a donation in Don Hayen’s name consider the San Diego Alzheimer’s Association Center, 5075 Shoreham Place #240, San Diego, CA 92122 or Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive STE C-129, La Jolla, CA 92037, both of which are focused on helping people learn about Alzheimer's and which are focused on early detection.
SOURCE:
- KPBS News
Alzheimer is such a scary disease. My best friend's mother had it and I helped take care of her for the last year or so of her life. It was a difficult time.
ReplyDeleteYou're a great friend to help look after your friends mother. That's such a rare thing to see.
DeleteIt is extremely frustrating. I was a psychologist up to my retirement 4 years ago. Became conscious of symptoms 3 years ago, when old friends noticed changes in my behaviour, but doctors are reluctant to give me the diagnosis of FTD, although they mention it regularly, because I am functioning "too well"! I know I am able to function because of the strategies that I have in place, but live alone and receive no support because my current diagnosis is mild cognitive impairment. They do not see the struggle that goes into maintaining function!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDr Hayen
ReplyDeleteLittle old lady? Aren't you a little old man? I thought PET scan was used to show build up of tangles which often precedes Alzheimer diagnosis. The issue is: some people with tangles never present with cognitive issues issue. There is much we don 't know. I wish you the best .
I served with Don on Alz.org's 2nd Early Stage Advisory Group in 2007, to which he refers in this video interview. I believe the interview is at least 10 years old, and a lot has changed since then in the way the disease is perceived, and its diagnostic criteria has been completely changed. So his comments are really outdated. I've been reading your blog since my diagnosis in 2005, and think it's irresponsible for you to publish it without dating it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the personal information and solid, clear feedback. It is essential in making this site the best it can be for our subscribers. We added a full update below the video. It is definitely important and essential. The video itself contains personal insights that are timeless. Together with the new update below it, we are confident that people watching this video will continue to gain much from Doctor Hayen's insightful message. May it serve to enrich his legacy to all of us.
Delete