Winston Churchill’s secretary John Colville records that one of the first signs that the great man’s phenomenal memory was beginning to fail him, and that dementia was setting in, was when he made the intriguing faux pas of addressing a man by the name of Brownjohn as Mr Shorthorn.
A sure sign that the mental ebb tide is in full flood, of course, is when you can’t remember your own name. Nursing homes are packed to the rafters with people who’ve forgotten what they’re called. It’s said that US President Ronald Reagan, making a visit with Nancy to a residential home for the elderly, was led up to the oldest resident and, to the woman’s obvious delight, embraced her warmly. ‘Do you know who I am?’ said a coquettish Ron, bending over her. ‘No,’ said the woman, ‘but if you ask at reception, I’m sure they’ll be able to help you.’
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