THE SURLY BONDS :

Reagan's Condition Said to Be Worsening (New York Daily News, August 11, 2002)

Former president Ronald Reagan, 91, is steadily slipping in his terminal battle with Alzheimer's disease, according to close friends and former associates.

Sources close to the 40th president report that Reagan's mental deterioration has accelerated in recent months.

"He no longer knows who Nancy is," said one source, referring to Reagan's wife of 50 years. "Some days he seems to recognize her as someone who's familiar, but most of the time she's just a blank to him."

Until a few months ago, Reagan's physical condition had held steady, even as his mental faculties continued to decline. But that is no longer the case. He disclosed on Nov. 5, 1994, that he had Alzheimer's.

"He's becoming more difficult to deal with," a source close to the family said. "Both his physical and his mental problems have gotten worse."

One realizes that the day is coming, but is still unprepared for his death. Perhaps he seems young to us still because we were young when he led us. Perhaps it is that we never really saw him grow old. It is his beloved Nancy who has had to deal with his aging and his descent into dementia. For both their sakes we hope the pain ends soon.
Posted by Orrin Judd at August 11, 2002 11:16 AM