A man well-known for speaking his mind will soon speak no more. Former Alberta premier, Ralph Klein, has been diagnosed with fronto-temporal dementia. This common type of dementia robs an individual of his/her ability to talk. It can be a slow process; however, an individual first can be seen fishing the "right" word(s) more often; this is followed by a complete loss of verbal ability. Whether you loved or hated the folksy "King Ralph", this diagnosis is tragic.
Having undergone a similar diagnosis with my own father (Dad had Alzheimer's disease), I know how emotionally heart-wrenching it can be for a family to watch the imminent decline ... not to mention the individual affected. I sympathize, completely, with Ralph Klein's wife. Dad, as a former English professor, had a strong command of the language at one time; however, this was reduced to nothing more than incoherent mumbles and, sometimes, not even those. Scientists are still searching for a cure, so there is nothing one can do but watch from the sidelines, remain patient plus continue to love and support an aging family member to the best of his/her own abilities.
Ralph Klein, now 68, remains quite young. The typical survival time for those with this condition is seven years.
While I didn't always agree with what Ralph Klein said or acted like, I can't deny he was certainly an outspoken politician who had both drive and spunk plus never hesitated to speak his mind. One has to admire these traits.
Thanks for the info. These will really help everyone who read this understand that Dementia makes it difficult for seniors to convey the whatever physical changes or discomfort they feel. People around older adults, especially those with Dementia and Alzheimer's disease, should be more sensitive to the changes and needs of these seniors.
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