An article in last Saturday’s Toronto Star highlighted the unique challenges presented when a history of wartime service is coupled with a present day diagnosis of dementia. The hallmark of dementia is a (usually) progressive loss of memories, starting with the most recent memories formed. In a nutshell, this is why patients with dementia ‘forget’ that their spouse has died, or ‘forget’ that their children are now adults. For some of Sunnybrook’s Veterans, this means the war is not over. It is here. And it is now. According to Dr. Jocelyn Charles, medical director of the Veteran’s centre, behavioural problems in Sunnybrook’s dementia patients are twice as prevalent as the provincial average. In fact, in a study of Sunnybrook’s Veterans, 16 percent still showed active symptoms of PTSD, such as ‘distressing dreams, flashbacks and anxiety.’

Canada’s WWII veteran’s are dying at the rate of 400 a week.

Will you remember?

David M. Smith

David M. Smith - Click here for more information about David Smith.