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Til death (or illness?) do us part

Former President Ronald Reagan, who was a faithful writer of love letters, is kissed by wife Nancy on his 89th birthday in 2000. (Associated Press)
Former President Ronald Reagan, who was a faithful writer of love letters, is kissed by wife Nancy on his 89th birthday in 2000. (Associated Press)

Christian televangelist Pat Robertson has infuriated many of his viewers with his comment that a person is within his/her moral right to divorce a spouse who has Alzheimer's disease. The extremely conservative pastor defended his stance by saying that Alzheimer's disease "is a kind of death."

 Have you had a conversation with your spouse…"Honey, if I am diagnosed with dementia, I would want you to…"? 

 Certainly Robertson's comments are a good conversation starter.

(Spokesman Review archive photo of Nancy Reagan with husband former president Ronald Reagan, who died of Alzheimer's in 2004)

Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.