At 83, Mr. Hockey is still in demand and on the move. Gordie Howe is about to embark on another series of fundraisers to support dementia research.
It’s a personal cause. The disease killed his wife, Colleen, in 2009 and is beginning to affect him.
“He’s a little bit worse than last year, but pretty close to about the same,” son Marty said. “He just loses a little bit more, grasping for words.
“The worst part of this disease is there’s nothing you can do about it.”
While the long-term effects of concussions have been very much in the news lately, the family is hesitant to link the Hall of Famer’s condition to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the degenerative brain disease typically found in autopsies of people who have had multiple head injuries, including more than a dozen former NFL and NHL players.
Concussions weren’t tracked when Howe played, so it is impossible to know how many he sustained. And he didn’t start showing signs of dementia until his late 70s.
“I don’t think anybody can really answer that question,” Marty said of a connection to CTE. “He went for so long without any symptoms whatsoever. You don’t have to be an athlete or in contact sports to get dementia.”
Howe’s dementia is currently mild and his family members haven’t sought a diagnosis of exactly what kind he has. They did that with Colleen, who died at 76 of Pick’s disease. The rare form of dementia is marked by changes in mood, behavior and personality, followed by memory loss similar to that experienced in Alzheimer’s.
Another son, Murray, a radiologist, says his father’s symptoms don’t fit either Alzheimer’s or Pick’s.
“He has what we call mild cognitive impairment,” Murray said. “His brain power is not what it used to be. In terms of the prognosis and diagnosis, it’s still wide open.”
Howe has short-term memory loss, difficulty speaking and some confusion in the evening when the sun goes down. The latter, called “sundowning,” occurs in people with dementia, although the cause is unclear.
“He’s always worse in the evening,” Marty said. “It’s like when the sun goes down, something flips the switch.”
But Howe’s personality hasn’t changed and he continues to recognize his family and friends.
Howe’s stamina and power were legendary during his 33 seasons of pro hockey. Physically, he’s doing well for a man about to turn 84 in March. His sons say Howe likes to do household chores and go fishing, one of his favorite pastimes.
“He’s still Mr. Hockey and that’s what is so great because he’s just such a pleasure to have around,” Murray said. “He’ll wake up first thing in the morning and there’s a bunch of leaves outside and he’ll rake for three hours. He’s so pleasant and upbeat.
“When he first started showing signs of memory loss, we were concerned it was Alzheimer’s and it was just going to go downhill.”
It’s possible Howe’s dementia is vascular in nature. He suffered from heart disease later in his life and required the implantation of a coronary stent about a decade ago.
“He’s had a couple episodes of getting faint or passing out around that time,” Murray recalled. “It’s possible he had a couple of mini-strokes that picked off some of the parts of his brain that you need to be able to retain short-term memory. That’s my theory and what his family physician is thinking.”
Howe had episodes of forgetfulness about six years ago while caring for his wife. The Howe children recognized the signs they’d previously seen in their mother.
The hockey great also was tired and not looking after himself, which made his condition worse. A program of regular physical activity has helped him combat his dementia.
“He can easily walk four miles on very hilly terrain without a problem,” Murray said. “When he first came to us, he couldn’t walk 100 yards up a slight incline without having to stop because of chest pains. It was a complete turnaround for him.”
After Colleen Howe’s death, the Howes were approached by the Toronto health organization Baycrest to put Gordie Howe’s face on a fundraising campaign for Alzheimer’s.
Affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest specializes in mental diseases of the elderly.
Howe, accompanied by Marty, makes public appearances at an annual series of Scotiabank Pro-Am hockey tournaments across Canada. More than $16 million has been raised by the Gordie and Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer’s.
Howe is scheduled to attend a Canucks game in Vancouver on Thursday night to promote a Scotiabank Pro-Am in that city later this year.
Marty says his father plans to help kick off the same tournaments in Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto this spring.
He also will also attend a news conference Thursday afternoon in advance of a tribute in his honor at Friday’s Vancouver Giants game.
Howe has his photo taken with fans and signs autographs under Marty’s watchful eye at the events. A speech isn’t an option anymore. Fatigue tends to exacerbate Howe’s condition and Marty doesn’t want his father feeling strained.
“If you see him now, obviously you can kind of tell he’s not firing on all cylinders,” Marty says. “Most people see Gordie and they’re just happy Gordie is talking to them.”
Marty was alarmed by a decline in his father’s condition before an appearance in Calgary last year, but didn’t want his condition made public until the family had a better handle on his condition.
“For people who are dealing with this, you have to have a sense of humor,” he said. “Nobody wants to see their family members go through this. It gets harder. Towards the end, it’s really no quality of life whatsoever. Pretty depressing, but you have to find the humor in some of it. Otherwise, it will kill you, too.”
Marty and Murray are just grateful the dementia hasn’t changed their father’s personality or attitude so far.
“We’re enjoying the times we have now,” Marty said.
———
Online
http://www.baycrest.org/foundation.php
http://www.scotiabankproam.com/
Go here to read the rest:
Gordie Howe's dementia fight personal and public
- Out of the shadows - Living with dementia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2011]
- The Notebook - showing Dementia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2011]
- Dementia Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- Muse - Space Dementia (Pinkpop 2004) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Geriatrics: Dementia Delirium and Depression [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2011]
- Muse - Space Dementia (Hullabaloo) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2011]
- Dementia Case Presentations [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2011]
- Muse - Space Dementia live [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 28th, 2011]
- Space Dementia - Muse [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2011]
- Going Home (A short film on Dementia) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2011]
- Dementia 13 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- Muse - Origin of Symmetry - Space Dementia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- DECEASED - "Elly's Dementia" [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- DECEASED - "Elly's Dementia" [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- Ctrl Z - Space Dementia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Doctor Who - Space Dementia (Doctor/Master) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Space Dementia Muse piano version - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- Dementia 5! - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2011]
- Medical [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2011]
- Difficulties in Diagnosing Lewy Body Dementia - pt 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2011]
- Muse - Space Dementia (Live - Leeds Festival, UK Aug 2011) [HD] - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2011]
- Muse - Space Dementia (Piano Solo) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2011]
- Muse - (Live @ Montreux Jazz Festival 2002) - Space Dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2011]
- Dementia vs. Alzheimer's disease? - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2011]
- Dementia vs. Alzheimer's disease? - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2011]
- New Years with Mr. Dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2011]
- BOYD RICE PLAYS "DEMENTIA" + SIGNATURE SESSION @ L'ETRANGE FESTIVAL 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2012]
- BOYD RICE PLAYS "DEMENTIA" + SIGNATURE SESSION @ L'ETRANGE FESTIVAL 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2012]
- Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Living with Dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2012]
- Specialists push family input, more screening to detect early signs of dementia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Gordie Howe's dementia fight personal and public [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Cognitive impairment, dementia common in seniors, proper diagnosis key to treatment [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Don Cornelius Suffered From Dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- 66 Year Old Man With Dementia Brutally Beaten [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Officer beating man with dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- An introduction to the brain - Alzheimer's Society dementia brain video - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- An introduction to the brain - Alzheimer's Society dementia brain video - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- What is dementia? - Alzheimer's Society dementia brain video - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Health: Dementia NHS care quality report 'is shocking' - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- What is dementia? - Alzheimer's Society dementia brain video - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Health: Dementia NHS care quality report 'is shocking' - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Tonight At 5PM: Understanding Dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- New Insights into Lewy body dementias-20111005 1601-1.wmv - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- What Is Dementia? - Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Later stage dementia: Bruce and Jan's story - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Later stage dementia: Bruce and Jan's story - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- Dealing with dementia at Christmas - Alzheimer's Society December 2011 podcast - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Dealing with dementia at Christmas - Alzheimer's Society December 2011 podcast - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- What is the Difference between Dementia and Alzheimer's? - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Dementia/Alzheimer's: Why Activities Matter - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- What is the Difference between Dementia and Alzheimer's? - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Dementia/Alzheimer's: Why Activities Matter - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Pat Summitt's talks about her early onset dementia diagnosis - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Pat Summitt's talks about her early onset dementia diagnosis - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Acid Wartek | Dementia | By ArchanGelika [INSANE] - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Preventing Dementia: Facts and Fiction - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Acid Wartek | Dementia | By ArchanGelika [INSANE] - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- You're sick It's dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- What is Dementia? - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- You're sick It's dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Update on Vascular Dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- GLORY TO THE BOYS - Dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2012]
- Dementia brain stimulation trial [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Slow walking 'predicts dementia' [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Slow walking 'predicts dementia' [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Exercise a Defense Against Dementia: Study [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Group mental activities help people with dementia, review shows [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- The science behind frontotemporal dementia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Can Walking Speed, Hand Grip in Middle Age Predict Dementia Risk? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Dementia: Fast walking speed and a strong grip in middle age may help predict risk [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Dementia unit permission sought [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Pace of Walking Linked to Dementia: Study [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Cognitive stimulation beneficial in dementia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Children, Teens and Dementia - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2012]
- Rarer causes of dementia - Alzheimer's Society dementia brain video - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2012]
- Rarer causes of dementia - Alzheimer's Society dementia brain video - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2012]
- Dementia: Peter and Sheila's story - diagnosis, relationships, support (subtitled) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2012]
- Dementia: Peter and Sheila's story - diagnosis, relationships, support (subtitled) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2012]