If you could know, would you want to?

ItsCasey

I guess I'd want to know at some point so that I could make "arrangements" (I'm something of a control freak), but knowing right now would just depress me.

SmartFunGorgeous

I'm learning that it is better to know than to stay in the dark. That's why I stayed overweight for so long. I kept turning away from the truth. I wouldn't want knowledge, but I'd ask for it... dementia runs in my family, so it is a possibility.

However, that being said, there are ways to help your brain from developing the disease as early. Exercising your brain by reading and doing complex puzzles can help. Some of those silly word games (Word with Friends) can actually help prolong a healthy brain. I teach, so I read frequently, and I hope it means that if I am to get dementia one day (which, I realize is different from Alzheimer's, but there is a distinct similarity) it will be farther in my future than it would have been if I hadn't read and exercised my brain all my life.

kb455

I'd want to know. I'm a planner. I like to try and be as prepared as possible. Plus, I'd like to have the opportunity to prepare my family as much as possible.

RonneyKay

I agree with the previous poster who said "ignorance is bliss" Sometimes this statement is very very true, and in this case, for me, it absolutely is true!

Ronney

VinVenture

There is no cure, but there are several prescription drugs (not to mention, simply pot) that noticeably lowers the speed, progression and ferocity of alzheimers. Having it in the family, there's a great chance I'll get it. I hope not, but if I could I'd find out, so I could start taking preventative measures early.

ajbeans

I would want to know. As a previous poster said, there are medications that can slow the progression of the disease. Besides, I'd want to make sure my family knew what I wanted as far as care, and it would give me time to make sure I had an up-to-date will while I was still of sound mind.