Should advanced dementia be considered a terminal illness?

That is the question this article in Scientific American asks readers. And perhaps they have a point. If we look at dementia in the whole we would probably help better ease the pain of those battling it and avoid unnecessary medical procedures.

What scares me is that some will interpret this to mean all dementia not “advanced” dementia. Heck, we all forget stuff. And many suffer from mild forms of dementia. So do you put the label of “terminal” on that? Sure we’re all going to die someday but is this article going to help or scare people? Taken for what it offers – advanced dementia as a terminal illness – I think it can be helpful. Just don’t make more of it than it warrants.