Elderly Man w/ Alzheimer’s Disease Falls Into Creek & Drowns While Searching for His Daughter
An elderly man in Antipolo City, known as “Lolo Ben,” drowned after falling into a creek while searching for his daughter.
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking, and behavior. It’s the most common cause of dementia, which is when a person’s mental abilities decline to the point where it affects their daily life.
In the early stages, people with Alzheimer’s may forget recent events, repeat questions or misplace things often. As the disease worsens, they can become confused, have trouble speaking or understanding, and might struggle with daily tasks.
Personality changes and poor judgment are also common. Eventually, it can reach a point where they can’t recognize loved ones or take care of basic needs like eating or bathing.
On early Wednesday morning (December 11, 2024), Lolo Ben, a 74-year-old retired security guard from Amparo Subdivision, Caloocan City, was found lifeless in Sitio Libis, Barangay San Jose.
A passerby spotted his body stuck in a rocky part of the creek around midnight and quickly informed the authorities. Before this, people in the area noticed him wandering around, asking about his daughter.
It’s believed he accidentally fell into the creek, which led to his death. His son later confirmed that Lolo Ben had Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that can cause memory loss and confusion, making it risky for patients to roam around unassisted.
The incident emphasizes how vulnerable elderly individuals with cognitive conditions can be. Families are encouraged to keep an extra close eye on their loved ones to ensure their safety, especially in unfamiliar areas.
Authorities are also asking the community to be on the lookout for lost or disoriented elderly individuals and to alert them when necessary.
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