Talk show host Wendy Williams Hunter's care team wants to set the record straight and "to correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health." They released a statement today to inform fans and supporters that Williams was diagnosed last year with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
The goddess of gab and spiller of hot tea underwent a battery of medical tests in New York, which confirmed both disorders. Related symptoms "have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life," says the statement. Over the years, Williams, whose eponymous talk show ran for 12 years, has been candid about health struggles that include Graves' Disease, Lymphedema and substance abuse.
The goddess of gab and spiller of hot tea underwent a battery of medical tests in New York, which confirmed both disorders.
Per her representatives, "Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy's ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy's condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions."
According to "Black Women and Dementia: Two Sides of the Story," a program created by the Alzheimer’s Association, "Black women are diagnosed with dementia at disproportionately higher rates than White women. They frequently take on the role as lead caregiver in many Black families carrying the responsibility for all aspects of care for a family member diagnosed with dementia." My four sisters and I were among them until our mom passed away.
What to know about dementia, the loss of cognitive function
There is more than one kind. Each impacts separate areas of the brain. Many of us are familiar with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. About 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s. "Alzheimer’s affects a person’s memory and eventually the ability to think, reason and perform even the simplest of tasks," according to aarp.org. Williams has frontotemporal dementia, the same condition diagnosed in actor Bruce Willis. With frontotemporal dementia, language or behavior changes are the most prominent symptoms while memory remains relatively less affected.
Black women are diagnosed with dementia at disproportionately higher rates than White women. They frequently take on the role as lead caregiver in many Black families carrying the responsibility for all aspects of care for a family member diagnosed with dementia.
"Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed," say her carers. "She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way."
Lewy body dementia, which in some cases is related to Parkinson's Disease, involves abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. Patients may experience challenges with movement, planning and organizing, memory, and spatial awareness. Some experience hallucinations. After actor Robin Williams died by suicide in 2014, an autopsy revealed the condition.
Vascular dementia accounts for roughly 10 percent of all dementia cases. This is caused by strokes or other problems with blood flow to the brain that rob it of oxygen and nutrients. Where in the brain the blood flow is blocked impacts what symptoms a patient will experience.
People older than 80 are especially vulnerable to mixed dementia, a combination of two or more of these neurodegenerative diseases.
5 lifestyle habits can help prevent dementia
"If it can happen to me, it can happen to you," says
Williams in the documentary. She is referring to losing financial security. But the same can be said of the health battle she's waging. Prevention is key for Black women. The habits below can help prevent dementia. They are the same activities that may help us stave off countless other illnesses, Sis.
Learn more about guidelines from the World Health Organization and the U.S. National Institute on Aging on aarp.org.
Related: 10 Early Warning Signs of Dementia You Shouldn’t Ignore
Are you watching the doc this weekend?
Running four and a half hours, Where Is Wendy Williams? a Lifetime documentary, will air in two parts, this Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25. Both nights, it will air at 8 p.m. Eastern and 5 p.m. Pacific. If you have cable TV, you can watch by logging in with your account credentials to Mylifetime.com. DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Verizon, Philo, Sling and other streaming and traditional providers will also offer it to subscribers.
What to know about aphasia, a condition that affects people’s ability to communicate
According to aarp.org, "those who suffer from aphasia usually have trouble saying words, completing sentences or understanding speech. Their words may sound garbled or slurred. Sometimes the speech is what doctors call telegraphic, with very simple sentence structure. Instead of 'I’m going over here,' someone with aphasia might say, 'I go here.'
A sudden onset of aphasia is one of the most common signs of stroke. If you notice that you or someone around you is suddenly having speech problems, call 911 right away, because getting treatment is critical and can lessen long-term aphasia and other problems caused by the brain damage from stroke."
Aphasia isn't a single illness but a collection of symptoms, according to aarp.org. "There are several different types of aphasia, which is usually caused by damage to an area on the left side of the brain that controls language and comprehension."
The statement released on Williams' behalf observes, "The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances. Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis."
So, now we know.
Has a neurodegenerative disease like dementia impacted your family or friendships? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
