Regarding 'still Alice' the character Alice seems aware that she is losing memory. My experience with my 91 year old mom , seems she is not aware that she has dementia. Mom did work until 83 years old though, she was a nursery teachers aide. She stopped working and driving all at the same time, so maybe she was aware that she was slipping mentally.
Alice writes a file on her computer to test herself, she gradually doesn't remember to answer the questions correctly, therefore doesn't end up taking the pills.
I read posts about people who were diagnosed with dementia writing or public speaking, how can they function so ? Are there moments of clarity mixed with blackouts? What must it be like to know your memory is slipping away?
My mom doesn't seem to get that she has dementia, she just thinks I am mean and bossy. However in rare moments of clarity she becomes very upset that she is losing her mind.
I intend to start living dangerously at the first sign......

I appreciate the honesty of the answers. I was afraid to ask; afraid I'd be judged for questioning options other than doing the standard medical protocol du jour. I trust God has reasons for all of the suffering from this disease. Without human intervention, maybe the suffering would not be as prolonged? Maybe it's all part of the process necessary to find a "cure". I don't profess to know the answers, but I have OH, so many questions! My biggest fear is not being able to sustain the patience needed to be a compassionate, effective caregive. It's all so new to me, and knowing that no matter what you do or how hard you try, the disease will only progress. It's not like your loved one can be taught to recall, much less learn new things.

Thank you for that honest response. I think we're more compassionate to our suffering animals.

I try hard to get my mom up and out of bed on bad days. Sometimes she stays in pj's all day, but I try to engage her by asking for help, I have dumped out baskets of folded laundry just to keep her busy, and she loves to cut coupons!

In the big picture, it really doesn't matter if Bill gets dressed everyday. I have been fortunate to be able to get him dressed for doctor appointments and to visit family. You just have to learn to back off.