I'm not sure she did have Alzheimer's though: stroke induced vascular dementia, yes, but not AD.
If what has been written today is accurate, Maggie Thatcher had a series of 'small strokes' before her first stroke in 2001. This suggests vascular dementia.
As Izzy said, the Mail has a section concerning her health; 'Frail final years of the Iron Lady'. Although it describes her failing abilities it does not actually say that she had dementia. 'Fragile mental state' is the description. There is also a mention that she became patron of Alzheimer's Research UK around the time following her stroke in August 2001.
In another section a Conservative MP makes a reference to Ronald Regan suffering very badly in his final years with Alzheimer's. He then says "Although she did not have Alzheimer's, her memory and mind were not by any means as sharp as it was".
No her memory and mind would not be sharp as they were. She had demenita.
Why the tip-toeing around the word 'dementia'.
Why should there be a stigma concerning dementia when it is an illness.
Remembering the outcry from various politicians following the film about Maggie Thatcher livng with dementia, they seemed to see it as a stigma. We do have a long way to go....
I wonder if the younger generations will be the ones to end this attitude. Our grandchildren live a distance away but have visited my husband in his care home and they have been great with him. Many other grandchildren will be famiar with grandparents who have dementia, both at home and in care homes. There are children living with a parent with early onslaught dementia. Perhaps the younger generations will help to change the negative attitudes of so many of the general public.
Thanks for the links in other newspapers, I shall read them.
Politics aside, I feel for her and her family.
Loo