Memory Issues:
Special counsel Robert Hur's report highlighted Biden's poor memory, noting that he could not recall significant events such as the death of his son Beau in 2015 or details of a debate about sending additional troops to Afghanistan.
Biden has also made several notable gaffes, such as confusing former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who died in 2017, with current European leaders and mistaking former French President François Mitterrand, who died in 1996, for French President Emmanuel Macron.
Verbal Gaffes:
Biden has been criticized for verbal mistakes, including recalling conversations with European leaders about the U.S. Capitol insurrection that took place months after the event, despite some of those leaders being deceased at the time.
His oratory skills have reportedly declined, with more frequent stilted and slurred speech.
Reliance on Aides and Notes:
Reports indicate that Biden often relies heavily on note cards and aides during meetings and public appearances, suggesting a dependence on external aids to manage his duties.
Observers have noted inconsistencies in his command of policy details, with some days showing a clear grasp of issues and others demonstrating a significant reliance on notes and aides.
Public Perception and Polls:
A significant portion of the American public doubts Biden's mental capability. An AP-NORC poll found that 63% of U.S. adults express concerns about his mental fitness, with 80% of independents particularly skeptical.
A new NBC poll revealed that 76% of voters have major or moderate concerns about Biden's ability to serve another term due to his mental and physical health.
Observations from Lawmakers and Staffers:
Over 45 lawmakers and staffers who have interacted with Biden have expressed concerns about his cognitive abilities, noting that his voice has grown softer and his demeanor and command of policy particulars have become inconsistent.
These examples collectively paint a picture of a president whose cognitive abilities are under significant scrutiny, raising questions about his capacity to effectively serve another term.
Here are additional examples and details regarding concerns about President Joe Biden's mental fitness, based on the provided sources:
Memory Lapses and Public Gaffes:
During a speech at the North America's Building Trades Unions conference, Biden made an unexpected pause, reading the teleprompter instruction "pause" aloud, which sparked jokes among conservatives on social media.
Biden has mistakenly identified foreign leaders by name, such as referring to Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as the president of Mexico during a news conference.
He has also confused the years he served as vice president and the year of his son Beau's death, as highlighted in a special counsel report.
Closed-Door Meeting Behavior:
In a key January meeting on Ukraine military aid, Biden's slow movement and difficulty in hearing himself raised concerns among attendees. He took about 10 minutes to begin the meeting, leaving participants puzzled.
During May 2023 negotiations on raising the debt ceiling, Biden was described as sharp and spontaneous at times, but on other days, he repeated stories and brought up resolved issues.
Neurological Insights:
Neurologists have explained that Biden's memory issues, such as forgetting names or dates, can be part of the natural aging process and are not necessarily indicative of a progressive memory disorder.
Dr. Paul Newhouse from the Vanderbilt Alzheimer's Disease Research Center noted that almost every older patient encounters issues with remembering people's names, which is a common complaint as people age.
Special Counsel Report:
The special counsel's report described Biden as an "elderly man with a poor memory," noting his struggles to recall specific time frames and events, such as his tenure as vice president and his son's death.
The report also mentioned Biden's references to conversations with long-dead world leaders, which further fueled concerns about his cognitive abilities.
Public Perception and Polls:
A New York Times/Sienna poll revealed that 73% of respondents expressed concern about Biden's age and mental fitness, compared to 42% for Trump.
The Wall Street Journal reported that both Republicans and some Democrats have expressed concerns about Biden's cognitive abilities, describing an 'unevenness' in his performance during meetings.
Comparisons with Other Seniors:
Dr. Daniel J. Stone, a geriatrician, argued that Biden's slow speech and occasional word hesitations are due to age-associated memory impairment and a lifelong speech impediment, not Alzheimer's disease. He compared Biden to other high-functioning seniors who compensate for slower reaction times with superior knowledge and judgment.
and there's more:
Comparison of Signs and Symptoms of Dementia and Senility in Older Adults in Public Settings
Signs and Symptoms of Dementia in Public:
Memory Loss:
- Disruptive Memory Loss: Forgetting recent events, important dates, or repeating the same questions or statements frequently.
- Misplacing Items: Putting things in unusual places and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
- Frequently forgetting recent events or conversations.
- Repeatedly asking the same questions.
Cognitive Difficulties:
- Planning and Problem Solving: Difficulty developing and following a plan, such as following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.
- Completing Familiar Tasks: Trouble performing daily tasks like driving to familiar places, managing a budget, or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
Disorientation:
- Confusion with Time or Place: Losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. They may also get lost in familiar places.
- Visual and Spatial Relationships: Difficulty judging distances, determining color or contrast, and perceiving what they see, which can affect activities like driving.
- Getting lost in familiar places.
- Confusion about time or place.
Communication Issues:
- Problems with Words: Struggling to follow or join conversations, stopping in the middle of a conversation, or repeating themselves. They may also have trouble finding the right words or call things by the wrong name.
- Trouble finding the right words.
- Frequent pauses or substitutions that make communication difficult.
Behavioral and Mood Changes:
- Mood Swings: Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They might become easily upset in various settings, including at home, work, or with friends.
- Personality Changes: Exhibiting inappropriate behavior, withdrawal from work or social activities, and being less interested in other people’s emotions.
- Unexplained mood swings or agitation.
- Becoming withdrawn or disinterested in social activities.
Poor Judgment and Decision Making:
- Wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather.
- Difficulty handling money or making financial decisions.
Physical Symptoms:
- Movement and Balance Problems: Issues with walking, balance, and coordination, which can lead to falls or difficulty navigating public spaces.
- Problems judging distance or depth, leading to falls or accidents.
Other Notable Behaviors:
- Wandering or getting lost: Leaving home or familiar places and being unable to find their way back.
- Suspiciousness or paranoia: Believing that others are trying to harm them or steal from them.
- Hallucinations or delusions: Seeing or hearing things that are not there.
Signs and Symptoms of Senility in Public (General Age-Related Cognitive Decline):
Memory Changes:
- Occasional Forgetfulness: Forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later. Misplacing items but being able to find them eventually.
- Slower Recall: Struggling to find a word but remembering it later, or forgetting the name of an acquaintance.
- Mild Memory Issues: Occasional forgetfulness but usually able to remember with cues.
Cognitive Changes:
- Slower Processing: Slower processing speeds and more trouble multitasking, but routine memory, skills, and knowledge remain stable.
- Occasional Errors: Making occasional errors with money or needing help to set a microwave or record a television show.
- Slower Processing Speed: Taking longer to recall information or respond to questions.
- Decreased Problem-Solving Skills: Difficulty with complex tasks, especially those requiring multitasking.
Behavioral Changes:
- Reluctance to Change: Feeling despondent sometimes or not liking changes to long-term routines.
- Social Withdrawal: Being reluctant to go out socially but still maintaining social activity.
- Increased irritability or frustration, especially in stressful situations.
Physical Changes:
- Vision Changes: Developing long-sightedness or cataracts, which are common with aging.
Judgment and Decision Making:
- Occasional Poor Judgment: Making a bad decision occasionally but not consistently.
Attention and Focus:
- Reduced Attention Span: Getting distracted more easily and having trouble focusing for extended periods.
Differentiating Dementia from General Age-Related Changes:
Severity and Impact on Daily Life:
- Dementia symptoms significantly interfere with daily activities and independence, whereas age-related changes are generally mild and do not drastically impact day-to-day functioning.
Consistency:
- Dementia symptoms are persistent and progressive, while age-related changes are more sporadic.
Recognition of Memory Lapses:
- Individuals with general age-related cognitive decline are often aware of their memory lapses, whereas those with dementia may not recognize or acknowledge their deficits.
No comments:
Post a Comment