Jeff Wood in Split Lip Magazine about early onset dementia. This will break your heart, don’t read it on the bus:
Neurologists use the clock face test as a screening for early onset dementia, as well as other disorders. It’s about 85% reliable, according to the internet. The internet also tells me why the clock face test works so well. It measures episodic memory, language fluency, time orientation, visuospatial function, and executive function. I didn’t know what all those terms meant when I first heard them, but now I know them well.
I’m very good at passing the clock face test. Ever since I watched my wife attempt to take it, I’ve been practicing.
This reminded me of Still Alice by Lisa Genova. A close family member developed dementia before he died and it was unbelievably hard on those who loved him. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.
It’s a gorgeous piece but it’s not an easy one.