Bruce Willis' frontotemporal dementia diagnosis reveals an uncomfortable truth

[exboyfil]

5. I admire my mom (78)

She is fighting COPD and other health issues, but she does a lot to keep her mind active (which studies say helps with retaining cognition). Word puzzles, different types of computer games, and she plays cards (even learning new card games to play with the other residents in her elder apartment). She also mostly stopped the drinking.

Both my grandparents on my dad's side had dementia (they were also heavy drinkers all their lives - not sure if that contributed to it). My dad died young from cancer (65 and I am almost 60). My grandpa on my mom's side also died young from cardiovascular disease (early 70s). My grandma made it to 94 and her body gave out. She didn't have dementia per se, but she definitely had psychological issues including paranoia and delusional disorder.

My wife's parents are doing very well in their 80s. They play lots of games and have a very active social life. My FIL even continues his writing and publishing (he is a math educator).