There is a wicked inclination in most people to suppose an old man decayed in his intellects. If a young or middle-aged man, when leaving the company, does not recollect where he laid his hat, it is nothing but if the same inattention is discovered in an old man, people will shrug up their shoulders, and say, “his memory is going.” – Samuel Johnson

Memory loss, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other forms of dementia – or the fear of them – begin to plague us as we witness friends or family members succumb, or begin themselves to fear the dreaded onset. Often the fear is as debilitating as the problem. We can’t remember where we left our car keys and become concerned; if it happens again we become worried and/or fearful. We become too afraid to talk to someone because we don’t want it to be true. Whether it is “normal” age-related memory loss or dementia or Alzheimer’s we prefer to remain isolated in our fear rather than talking to a family member, friend, or health-care professional. While we become increasingly worried, friends or family may see the symptoms and, having read too many scare articles in newspapers or magazines, remain in denial, afraid to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Help is available.

Neurologist Ronald Devere, a native Winnipeger, has published Memory Loss: everything you want to know but forget to ask, a plain English discussion of the symptoms and realities of memory loss which debunks many of the related myths. He says about his book,

“My purpose for writing this book is to especially help educate the public and healthcare providers on this important subject — to try to dispel the myths and fears about memory loss and to emphasize the truths.”

Dr. Devere says if you forget where you left your car keys, it may be nothing more than a simple memory lapse; if, however, you forget what they’re for, that can be a problem. Watch his discussion of memory loss, Alzheimer’s Disease, and dementia on YouTube:

Dr. Devere’s book is available on line at www.memory-lack.com.

Biographical note

Ron Devere was born and raised in Winnipeg, attended St, John’s High, graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Medicine, and completed his Neurology training at the University of Minnesota. He practices in Austin, Texas where he heads the Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center.

Wayne Ferguson is a Heritage Group member and distributor of Dr. Devere’s book in Canada.