How prevalent are cases of Alzheimer Disease in Jehovah's Witnesses, as compared to other religions?

Question

Something I've noted, in my limited way, the lack of Alzheimer patients who are Jehovah's Witnesses. Also, they are less likely to end up in nursing homes, remaining in their own homes until close to death. Could the difference be in their activities?

In JWs, everyone, regardless of age, actively studies, teaches, and preaches the Bible. The door to door work aside, they give Bible talks of up to 60 minutes, and demonstrations of how to conducted Bible studies. Could this level of activity, both mental and physical, cause a reduction in the incidence of Alzheimer Disease in the JW elderly?

Actaully, I also wrote the Alzheimver Association about it. Mental and physical actitivies do reduce the cases.

This was a question about the affect of keeping the elderly active to prevent this terrible disease and we get people who instead denegrade the activities. Do they feel it is better to get Alzheimer Disease than to be active in the teachings of the Bible?

As for those calling JWs a cult and other things, remember, a highly educated man in the religious arts also could prove that, beyond any doubt, about the early Christians. His name was Saul of Tarsus, and he had to be blinded to see the light of Truth, and become the Apostle Paul.

Is answer #14 saying that Alzheimer victims are just metally ill and can be cured with a few drugs?

Answer 1

Scientists know Alzheimers has a genetic link, but they do not know what causes the brain cells to fail. They suspect it is NOT just genetic and hereditary, but environment plays a huge factor as well. There are many people who are prone to genetic obesity, but if they live in different environments, one may never be overweight.

Also, most Alzheimer patients do not begin to have noticeable symptoms until AFTER the age of sixty-five.

I would have to know if Jehovah Witnesses live longer than most people, before it can be determined if they are "less likely" to have this disease. This is my personal experience: I grew up around Jehovah Witnesses for years, as I was raised as one, and later moved to a community where one of the elders owned an apartment building where many JW's lived.

In all my years, and from conversations with others, I don't recall seeing many JW's who live even close to the maximum life span estimated for humans today. How many Witnesses do you know over the age of seventy-five? How many over the age of sixty-five? The next time there is a convention just take a minute to take note of how many older witnesses are attending.

Also, funerals seem to be quite common at the Kingdom Halls I'm familiar with. So a better question might be, is the life span of JW's longer or shorter than other religions? If their lifespan is shorter, of course the incidents of Alzheimers will be low or non-existent, as symptoms usually begin around the age of 65.

I've always wondered why the witnesses I've known, seem to die earlier due to unexplained heart causes. I know of three older JW women who died in their sleep(autospy revealed heart related), a young man in his 20's died of heart problems, and one of the Elders died from heart failure...all from the SAME Kingdom Hall.

Also, often at the Kingdom Hall I used to attend, the Elders would quote Psalms 90:10, and another scripture, can't remember it right now, and state, that when we noticed most of the older witnesses passing, that was a sign the 144,000 were almost complete in Heaven or something to that effect. This was even mentioned at a few conventions.

I always thought that was very, very, strange. Not every older person would be part of the 144,000. So where are the others? Most non-jw churches have plenty of older people over at least 70.

I'm not an SDA, but to my knowledge, Seventh Day Adventists are the only religion who have been noted statistically as living longer, being happier, and more mentally adjusted. I think that has a lot to do with their diets and how strongly they stress family ties and community involvement among themselves and with others. They put in a great deal of time with organizations to help neighbors and non-sda's rather than isolating themselves.

I have not read "any" statistics which state JW's outlive or have lesser incidents for specific health problems than other religions in any area. The only health issues I've read about are the few who have lost lives for refusing blood transfusions, and a few isolated studies on mental health problems concerning witnesses. In the latter, if Witnesses are a cult as many claim, that would open them to demonic influence mentally and physically. The main battleground for Satan is the mind. Just my thought.

Answer 2

Thank you those that mentioned the Seventh-day Adventists...Yes there have been huge studies done on them and also the Mormons come close because they both have better health standards. Not only do they live good long lives but they have less of cancer and heart diseases. We had a relative years past that was 117, two that were 106, my grandfather was in his 103rd year and my grandmother was 93. They were sharp right up until the end. In fact my grandmother came out two days before she passed and was so excited. She said the holy spirit had shown her that she only had two more days to finish up. Her final day she asked me to open the window a little wider and then said something I couldn't quite hear. When I bent over her to ask her what she said she gave me a great big smile and said, "nighty night". My Mom held her hand and told her "It is alright Mama this is the time you've been waiting for, Nighty night I will meet you at the Resurrection" , and Grandma was gone. My Grandfather did composting long before it became popular and had the most beautiful gardens. At 99 he would give advice to people to stay away from nursing homes and then he would shuffle along and tell them, "and when you walk, don't walk like this, walk like this". And then he would take off running. Oh my how he loved the Lord. When he prayed it was as though he was in God's presence. I remember when he had a little surgery on an appendage when he was 99 and I heard him talking to the Lord in the back yard, thanking him for his wonderful wife and a good life. He became a vegetarian when he was 32. My Grandmother was rarely without her dictionary as she loved words and would often come out to give us an update on a common word that had a different meaning. Exercise, a healthy diet, an active mind, and most of all the peace, joy and love that comes so freely from communion with the creator of the Universe. They had their share of hard times but the joy is that they never walked alone. Mmm

Answer 3

Papa Bear,
You seem to be very knowledgeable in many different areas, the bible being your best. I love reading your questions and your answers, it seems I learn something new each time. Keep up the good work. I know you say that you are not a JW anymore, but you sir have a gift. You need to get yourself back to God. I am sure he has missed you.

I'm not a JW, but something seems to hold me back from dedicating my life to Jehovah. I'm scared of failing him.

Oh Yeah, about Alzheimer Disease, my grandfather had it. He died in Jan.1984. It is a horrible disease and he suffered with it tremendously. You seem to have a point about the activity level of the Witnesses and that compared to other religions. I have not read anything on the matter of this, but it is very interesting.

Answer 4

Leanne M you call yourself a Christian. Than why do you talk dirty?

The JW aren't a cult. You people should do more research. The JW are the true religion.

What Is Alzheimer's Disease?

Although research into a number of possible causes is being done, the actual cause of AD remains unknown. However, it is known that AD involves the gradual destruction of brain cells, so that parts of the brain may literally shrink. The parts worst affected are those involved in memory and thinking ability. Cells in the brain system involved in the emotions are affected early in the disease, resulting in personality changes. Other parts of the brain may be spared till later—parts having to do with sight and touch as well as the motor cortex, which directs muscular activity. These changes, explains Scientific American, "give rise to the classical, tragic picture of a person who can walk, talk and eat but cannot make sense of the world."

Typically, the disease lasts from 5 to 10 years—but sometimes more than 20 years. As it progresses, victims are able to do less and less. Eventually, they may even fail to recognize their loved ones. In the final stages, sufferers often become bedridden and cannot speak or feed themselves. However, many victims die from other causes before reaching these final stages.

Being active can truly help those who suffer of this disease. And yes, the JW are very active as you all people noticed. They have a lot of work to do: "And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." - Matthew 24:14

Papa Bear, you know this is the truth, so what are you waiting for? You should do something because the end of this system is close.

Answer 5

Or maybe they Quit going because the couldn't find the (what do you guys call it) Kingdom Hall? You answered your own question! people that keep mentally & physicaly active are less prone to Alzheimers. Now add the JV's verses other faiths verses no faith.
I think that mental & physical activity alone would do that. A spiritual walk would only improve the level of happiness

Answer 6

I have heard of it, as alzheimers, also read of struggles to learn conditions as bipolar being the results. Also spinal injuries that mess up the memory for struggling with pain and limitations in activities.

Alzheimers runs in my family on one side, brain tumor on another and dyslexia from another.
A serious injury or surgery involving having to suffer seriously for a long time or be put to sleep can cause the person with dysexia to appear to have alzheimers. and or
also there is post tramatic stress disorder, it resembles.

I have read of post tramatic stress disorder being the problem before.

People have learned in recent years that real alert mental activity can be a help, yet school teachers have been known to get alzheimers. Even movie stars with the kind of memory they are supposed to have, have done so.

I do agree that people that love the bible are involved in the highest degree of being mentally alert to be sure to get it right and represent it, being ever so careful not to misrepresent it, if any thing can help, it would have to be this.

Things like brain tumor, cancer, bipolar, alzheimers, dementia, spinal and other serious injury, paralysis, or even dyslexia and post tramatic stress disorder is a sad things, but at least they are more understood now.

Answer 7

As one of Jw's i was obviously interested in this question. I am unaware of the facts as regards how many Jw's get Alzheimer's disease compared to national averages. You do raise a good question though and since becoming a JW i would say that through my observations the elderly ones within the congregations are still very sharp in their mental thinking. There is alot to be said about keeping our brains active( in fact every newspaper in Britain right now seem to be promoting books and puzzles to keep your brain active). We are encouraged to read God's word daily and that is also a help 'the word of God is alive and exerts power' Hebrews 4:12. Good question!

Answer 8

Alzheimer's runs in my family so I do know some Witnesses that have had it but you are right, keeping mentally active is said to keep it away and our older ones are kept busy right till the end of their lives. There is no "retirement" in this organization and we value the hard work and dedication of the elderly ones.

Answer 9

all of them. when u said litigating and court case, u hit it right on the head. i'm an athiest, but i believe in right and wrong,good and bad. how can u believe in a loving, caring , all merciful god when u pray to him or her to give u the strength to slaughter ur enemy as u go into battle, knowing that ur enemy is praying for the same thing? is this a game show? religion to me is whichever is the most convincing, who is the best litigator and win the jury over? who can sell the most bibles, or have the fanciest tv show? my great granpa used to say, "i don't have to go to church, i can talk to god right out there in the barn on my milkin' stool. you put the ? out there, so just think about all the different answers. u seem young. absorb it all, and be a good person.

Answer 10

Someone mentioned the SDA church...yes we live a long time, and usually don't have too many problems before we die. My great grandparents died peacefully in their sleep...my great grandfather was 103, and my great grandmother was about 98 years old. My grandmother on the other side of the family was a very active Mexican woman...SDA to the core...she started churches all over Southern California in her day. She was also a nurse, and Bible teacher. She lived to her mid-80's, and died with Alzheimer's disease. She and Ronald Reagan were both examples of very active people to get it. I understand genetics, and diet are both factors in some cases.
I read one of the other responses about the door to door activities being a model of Jesus instructions...Jesus didn't go door to door, and neither did his disciples. He went from town to town. In Luke 9 it says 1Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 4And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Later, you can read where the people came to Jesus so much that he had to go to the open countryside in order to talk to them.