My Father

No, that’s not correct! They’ve made the wrong diagnosis. My dad doesn’t have Alzheimer’s. And for months, I refused to accept this diagnosis. 

How could someone like my father develop Alzheimer’s? He had been at the top of his field intellectually during his career as a theoretical physicist. He loved playing sport, and music was his passion.  He was curious about life and enjoyed travelling. He had a great sense of humour.

I was in denial. I couldn’t see the signs and, more importantly, didn’t want to see them. What I’d learnt at medical school 30 years ago was very little and, apart from a friend’s husband suffering, I had no direct experience of it.

Looking back, there were early signs. He had 3 daughters and 3 granddaughters and was always getting our names in a muddle. We used to laugh about it.  Years later, he couldn’t remember significant events in the past. I remember the first time I realised he couldn’t follow a music score when we were listening to a piece of music. A passion for music, playing the piano and cello, this was something that was second nature to him, and he could no longer do it. My father never complained or let on about how he felt. I have no idea how he was struggling cognitively in the early stages. He slowly became more withdrawn, not wanting or being able to participate in conversation. He lost interest and concern about important matters. Over time, his mobility and ability to care for himself declined.   

Was it a coincidence that 2 years later, I came across the Bredesen Protocol? It took me about a year to finally make the decision to retire as a doctor. Within 2 months, through networking, someone introduced me to a Bredesen Health Coach. After a one-hour zoom call with her, really just to find out about what she did, she suggested I train as a practitioner. I did my due diligence and, realising that the protocol fitted with all my values, I did the training. I had nothing to lose, but everything to gain. This training was the missing link to all the training I’ve done over the years, starting at medical school. 

Now, 3 years after my father passed, I am a trained Bredesen Practitioner, and I know so much more, both on an academic and personal level, about the early signs of cognitive decline and the triggers. Although my father otherwise remained fit and well, there were some possible triggers. He had terrible teeth with lots of amalgam fillings. It was the family joke that if any of us were going to get the missed stone in the cherry pie and chip a tooth, it would be him!  He loved his cooked lunches at work, and would mow our third of an acre lawn every week with a petrol mower.  His diabetes was slow to be diagnosed and was poorly controlled. 

If I’d known what I know now about cognitive decline, there is so much I could have done to help my father.  However, there is no point in regretting what could have been.

My mission now is to make people aware of what can be done to prevent and reverse cognitive decline. 

Dr Andrea Haas is passionate about helping people keep their minds sharp and their confidence high, at every stage of their life. With over 30 years as a medical doctor and training in the Bredesen Protocol for prevention and improvement of dementia, she combines medical insight with holistic therapies to create a bespoke journey to lasting cognitive health and improving confidence.

Book a free 20-minute call to find out how she may be able to help you.