Kiwi, you have seen how much I talk about OPC's (grape seed ex et al) and for me I bank on these for so much of my health issues and prevention...we were told back in 1995, Pycnogenol may prevent cancer, and that is why I got on it. Now these OPC's are used in cancer research labs......

This particular friend can't seem to take the OPC's due to a colitis conditon she lives with. She also is challenged with horrible allergies/sinus and OPC's are HUGE with these issues.

I have not bought a drug for allergies/sinus since 1995.....

Hi Diandra, I want to return to the original question of this thread:

”What is the point of dragging out poor demented loved ones to all sorts of hospitals for expensive tests for evaluations that often frighten or confuse them when in the end, all they do is write a script for Aricept or namenda that does very little, or even worse, the side effects are dangerous for the elderly or frail.”


I agree with you. If there are no new meds or treatments available, I see no point in subjecting an elderly loved one to unnecessary tests and procedures which can make the situation worse.

One of my uncles developed a type of dementia and my cousin was determined to find out the cause. The doctors ruled out Alzheimer’s, but despite many expensive hours of testing, a definitive diagnosis was never made. The doctors finally put him on Aricept, which could have originally been done without any testing just based on his symptoms alone.

Well, he seemed to improve on the medication, so they increased his dosage. The next day he became super angry and violent and finally had to be hospitalized. My aunt was traumatized and although my uncle recovered after his medication was stopped, my aunt never trusted him again.

Caroline, I saw the link that you posted about a clinical trial looking at OPCs in the context of AD - I hope that it gives good results.

I don't take OPC supplements but eat lots (all kinds) of fresh fruits and vegetables. They are full of antioxidants and many other good things as well.

The local saying for this is "eat a rainbow", meaning all colours of fruits and vegetables.

I think that you and I have different but equally valid ways of staying healthy.

Yet again, I would like to return to the points specifically mentioned by Diandra to start this thread.

As I look back through the responses so far, most of the comments have discussed use of supplements and alternatives such as taking OPCs, avoiding aluminum, the effectiveness of Prevagen, and eating your fruits and vegetables.

Does anyone here have an opinion about questions posed directly by Diandra in her original post, such as whether or not the elderly with dementia should be subjected to lengthy testing procedures, or if medications like Aricept are dangerous or effective for them?

People's decisions on the elderly med issues are all individual. I come from a prevention mind as much as I now know. Just hope I can keep my mind to my end. I think.

Thanks Auntie Audrey,
I appreciate you steering the thread back to my original question.
As I watch my poor Mother, whom I love dearly, progress in her dementia....I am astounded at all the dumb advice I get from the medical profession and it just seems to be a money generator. This dementia will progress, the meds like Aricept only made her dizzy and cognitively "fuzzier". To me, common sense dictates to do with what we did back when people were just called "senile".
We kept them home and cared for them and loved them. My Mom is most happy with that level of care.

I was hoping to hear experiences like yours although I am so sorry to hear what your Uncle went through. Alzheimers and related diseases are a tragedy but from my experience, love and attention is what is needed in abundance, not drugs and never ending tests and evaluations. I attend a support group for caregivers and am horrified at what American Medicine has these caregivers go through and what they make their loved ones go through. If all these tests and scans and assessments produced valuable info it would be fine but after attending these meetings for 2 yrs, sadly, I never hear anything new....the advice is a drug like Aricept, or to place their loved one in a facility. It is sad for those who can no longer care for their loved ones themselves and we are approaching that and it is heartbreaking.

My post was from last fall....basically I was just venting because I was frustrated. I was so mad at what this doctor did to my Mom....she purposely pushed her to see how confused and agitated she could make her and she made her almost cry....that was totally unnecessary and quite cruel. My Mom said,
"Do I ever have to go back there????". I said, "No Mom, never...that doc was a jerk and we are never going back." The relief on her face was incredible....we then went out for big hot fudge sundae and all was right with the world again.

Thanks Audrey....all my best, Diandra