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September 16th, 2011
05:22 PM ET
Pat Robertson makes controversial Alzheimer's claimsPat Robertson, former presidential candidate and well-known televangelist, gave advice on his TV talk show “The 700 Club" this week that doesn't sit well with some people familiar with Alzheimer's disease. A viewer named Andreas asked about his friend, who started seeing another woman after his wife developed Alzheimer's: "He says that he should be allowed to see other people, because his wife as he knows her is gone. I’m not sure what to tell him. Please help." Robertson acknowledged that this is a "terribly hard thing" but also said the person in question is correct. "I know it sounds cruel, but if he’s going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but to make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her," he said. "Isn't that the vow we take when we marry someone, that's for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer?" his co-anchor asked. There is the vow of "till death do us part," but Alzheimer's is "a kind of death," he said. Time.com: Pat Robertson's worst gaffes Paul R. Wolpe, director of the Emory Center for Ethics in Atlanta, takes issue with the idea that spouses of Alzheimer's patients don't have to have any fealty to their spouses because of the disease. "I think he misunderstands how important emotional support is to people with Alzheimer's. Except for the most extreme and close to death people with Alzheimer's, they respond to emotional context. The emotional part of their lives is the last part to go," he said. It's extremely therapeutic in many cases for people to maintain relationships with their spouses with Alzheimer's, he said. There are situations in which a spouse will choose to divorce a spouse with Alzheimer's or start a relationship with someone else while remaining married but will continue to remain connected to the Alzheimer's patient. Wolpe is troubled by the idea that it's OK to abandon an Alzheimer's patient because he or she is already dead. "I think abandoning a spouse because they have Alzheimer's is unethical. Divorcing them or not divorcing them isn't an issue to me so much; it's abandonment," he said. Robertson "did not say you have any responsibility to continue to try to support them emotionally, to visit them." Not everyone took such a hard stance on Robertson's remarks. Beth Kallmyer, senior director of constituent services at the Alzheimer’s Association, emphasized how stressful it is for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients to watch their loved ones in this condition, which can result in their grieving for a spouse while he or she is still alive. As for whether Alzheimer's is a kind of death, Kallmyer said she understands that some people may see it this way but said this also raises the need for education about the disease. "That person, even in the end stages, is still a person with a full history and a life that's been lived," she said. But it can feel like the person is slowly dying. Kallmyer and colleagues get calls from caregivers who don't know how to talk to their spouses anymore. To that, she says: "Talk to them like you used to talk to them. Do you know a favorite song that you could sing? To continue to have those conversations, and when people in the later stages are engaged with like that, there is a reaction, people react, and they can benefit from that," she said. If you have a question or need support, call the Alzheimer's Association's 24-hour hot line at 1-800-272-3900. soundoff (959 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next »Leave a Reply to Rich
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As usual, this "Christian" is interjecting his personal opinion, when a reasoned EXPERT should be contacted instead. Why are these religious folk so afraid of science??? If you truly believe in God, then God made science too, so quit running every time scientific issues come up!
I don't have a clue as to why this looney toons is still allowed on TV. He is clearly nuts and obviously has no respect for the 'in sickness and in health" phrase in most marriage ceremonies. Most christian belief are discusting to me but this guy takes the cake. He is my best argument against christianity.
What kind of "expert" should be contacted? Robertson isn't disputing that the person has Alzheimer's. I don't understand what science you think is being disputed here.
I find it a bit ironic that you're making accusations in the name of reason while adding something to the situation that didn't exist. Nobody mentioned science and there was no scientist available in this discussion. No, I don't believe in god or have a religion. But, too loosely wield reason is just as silly as religion.
To Pat Robertson- Love is patient, Love is kind... have you ever seen the movie... The Notebook... ???
It was originally written by Nicholas Sparks as a fiction romance novel... It is inspiring... Interestingly enough, I'd rather believe Spark's novel to be true, and I'd prefer to regard your comments (on how to deal with a loved one with Alzheimer's) as pure fiction!
What happened to, "Treat others the way you want to be treated?" We live in a sad state of morality when this is the response of religious leaders.
The "Notebook" is a great movie!
And I hope Pat Robertson gets Alzheimer's disease himself, soon I hope!
Good people, of any faith, will not abandon a loved one when they're needed the most. http://wp.me/p1se8R-1su
Loved the article We 2 teahcers from Brisbane other from Cairns (AUS) ..friends for many years are leaving family at home to fend for themselves (bonding) while we explore some of beautiful Turkey. We will be in Kas next year 15, 16, & 17 September 2012 heading to Cirali on 18th . WE want to visit a school there & give some childrens book from Australia to the school when does school go back ? we may be too early. thankyou can't wait to get therecheers Heather
Reread the quote. He didn't say this man SHOULD divorce his wife. He said "but if he’s going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but to make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her".
IF he is going to cheat he should divorce. Not that he SHOULD divorce her because SHE had AD, if HE was going to do something he should divorce her. Still not a good idea, but if he is going to see someone else he should make sure the AD patient is taken care of and divorce rather than having an affair.
How can it even be considered "cheating" if the spouse will never find out? This is the best case possible for someone in this situation, see someone else on the side, while continuing to care for the sick person. What's wrong with that? I would even tell all my friends and other family members exactly what I was doing.
It is only cheating if the other finds out? What kind of logic is that?
@WhatWhatWhat, I'm going to go steal as much money as I can. It's not a crime if I don't get caught.
Why do American's give people like this so much attention? This guy is a fool. He makes money off the ignorance of others and does it full well knowing exactly what he is doing.
Is there some confusion as to why he said what he said? He showed no compassion, because he has no compassion.
Delusion is the greated wall that holds America back. Lack of education, lack of personal responsibility, embracing of delusions and worshiping charlatans like this man due to insecurity, ignorance and upbringing.
American would look a lot different if children were taught about religion "after" the age of reason.
Obviously, Mr. Robertson has never experienced this horrible disease. But I have to disagree with his comment. What about the marriage vows, "In sickness and in health, til death do us part?" Doesn't that mean anything? My parents were married for 50 years and my Dad had this horrible disease and my Mom was sick also. We had the Lord standing by us and helping us to get through this terrible disease. And my Dad, before he passed on, he had been slowly slipping away from us that whole week, but my Mom was sitting by his bedside and she kept asking him to open his beautiful blue eyes so she could see them one more time. My sisters and brother and my husband and nephew were all gathered around his bed when all of a sudden his eyelids starting flapping and he opened his beautiful blue eyes one more time and looked over at my Mom and then around the bed at all of us and looked over at her once more and then he went to the Lord. So Mr. Robertson I disagree with you comment. Hopefully Mr. Robertson will never have to deal with this terrible disease. It certainly is a challenge and heartbreak to see your loved one slowly dying right in front of you, but it just goest to show you that love can withstand anything!!! "Love is patient, love is kind...." Sincerely, Sharon Carver
Pat, I've always known you to be a wise man but this time I think you are wrong.
Pat Robertson is a fool and an embarassment to Christianity.
The bible and Christianity are embarrassments to Christianity. Ya'll insist on believing in world-wide floods, talking serpents, a firmament, witches, unicorns, nephlim, magic lamb blood, talking bushes that are on fire, strength through growing your hair really long, towers being built to heaven, deities making bets over human lives, etc, etc, etc... I insist on giggling at you.
You are Correct, sir. Pat Robertson is an embarassment to The Christian Faith. He should have his show taken away from him, and disbarred from what ever ministry he is a member of.
What about "in sickness and in health"???!!! Yep, the biggest hypocrite, Pat Robertson should have to eat his words as his wife rolls him down the hill when he becomes sick and disabled. If somebody ran over his big fat head, It would not bother me one bit. What a complete lunatic and dirtbag Christian money wh0re. Sleep with the fish, Pat.
I think Pat Robrtson is a fool. And, I agree with what you said here. But, the part about "his big fat head" made me laugh. Thank you for that. I needed it. Not that I want anyone to run over it, but he does have a big fat head.
PAT, I DO NOT KNOW ENOUGH TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU GOT SO PROMINENT AND WELL KNOWN. CERTAINLY NOT YOUR INTELLECT OR THE BEING OF A LOVING CHRISTIAN. MAYBE IT WAS SIMPLY A GOOD TV PERSONA
TIME FOR YOU TO QUIT AND GO HOME
I am neither defending PR nor executing any judgement on his councilling the man who is cheating his wife with AL . If the man is having affair with other woman when his wife is still alive,ofcourse in bed, Pat cannot advise a adulteror what to do.By this advice Pat is promoting adultery. . Are you listening Suzette?
PAT ROBERTSON IS A MODERN-DAY PHARISEE. HIS GOD IS HIS FAME.
"In sickness and in health". You all just missed the passage that says if you're a man with needs that can't be met by an ailing wife, you should just move on. No need to drag yourself through that – just leave her to suffer on her own and burden her family with the bills instead of yourself. Because sickness is just like dying... unless you're Terry Schiavo in which case your husband should sacrifice his whole life and go bankrupt artificially prolonging vegetable status. Judgment, thy name is Pat.
Based upon his own comments. It sounds to me that Pat Robertson is on his way to being "gone", as he put it. It certainly sounds that he is losing his own mind , as evidenced by his lack of moral conscience, loss of direction and lack of understanding of what Christianity is all about. It seems he himself is in the beginnings ( or already in it ) of alzheimers disease himself. Therefore, we should divorce ourselves from listening to, give our attention to , and supporting financially such a person, as he is irrelavant now, and no longer useful.
At least the good Christian minister in the video corrected Mr. Robertson on what a good christian should do. I believe those who follow Pat will begin to see how wrong he really is, maybe even come to their senses and realise they have been following a false profit. Pat and his followers have had their day in the sun, its time for them to go..
Until death do we part, the Bible is clear that what God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Pat needs to retire, else he will inadvertantly lead people away from God. When people need us the most, we are not to abandon them, be they spouse or friend. So when friend comes forward and is stressed because their spouse is not quite what they married, we are to dig deep and think, 'What would Jesus do?". Jesus would NOT abandon, and Jesus would help console the friend, but NOT encourage them to do the wrong thing.
I assume Jesus would just heal the woman with his magic powers.
Robertson has shown dementia himself at least since the early 80s. If he's got a wife, she can pack up and move on now.
Yeah Pat, I'm sure Jesus, who you are so fond of quoting - would have said the same thing.... Lucky for Pat, simply being a heartless, clueless idiot isn't grounds for annulment...
What would Jesus do?
He would cure her so, to prove that he's God's son. He wouldn't have to live with her that way either. He would get two positive outcomes with one miracle.
Have his buddies tell everyone he was killed and move with her to the South of France to keep her comfortable in the final days of her life.
If this man is cheating on his sick wife does he love her anyway. I think Pat was right when he told him to divorce her. We all say she is still a person so she deserves to be treated as such. This man is committing adultry. I wouldnt want him remaining to be the care giver. Does she have children that can care for her in her final days. Mr Robertson was only giving an opinion like the rest of us . No one knows all the right ways to do anything. Its a sad day when we think someone gives wrong advice and we have a the right to give ours instead.
Robertson is an idiot, as he's proved so many times with his unsupported, wrong, unethical, and illogical statements. No one in their right mind should be listening to him and he shouldn't have a soapbox upon which to spout his nonsense. He needs to go away and just putter around in his garage.
Pat Robertson never achieved a complete spirtual awareness. The "ring" signifys "no end" AND "no beginning". Once
both individuals and God have agreed on marriage(latin for-melting into one) then "let not man put asunder". He/she can't be supposed dead until the body is dead. That is the law for those seeking eternal life. Since marriage is eternal, its important how spouses treat one another. The world beyond will revolve around this relationship. (((To the few that possess ears}}}
First of all, weddings rings/bands aren't even mentioned in the Bible. They are purely the inventions of commercialism and for $1800/oz gold and $5K for a tiny diamond are the source of much strife in the world. I wonder how Jesus would interpret your symbolism. Second, the word marriage comes from Latin maritatus, pp. of maritatre simply "to wed, marry, give in marriage". It does not mean "melting into one."
Here's a guy who claims to have direct conversations with God. I wouldn't take much stock in anything he says particularly in matters of how to conduct your life.
I have to agree with Mr. Roberston. If the man is cheating then he should get someone to care for the woman with the disease and move on with a divorce. It would be better for the person with the disease in the long run.
How in the heck would that be better? Please explain? Better for whom? He can see other women, no one would deny him that, but he has a commitment. WWJD? Certainly not listen to Pat Robertson. Even his little Miss America sidekick was aghast at his answer.
Anyone who claims to have direct conversations with God is hallucinating and should not be listened to. Direct conversation means two way communication. I believe he thinks he is talking to God, but he's making up what he thinks God is saying to him.
CNN routinely promotes "gay marriage", something most christians find disgusting. So why are you promoting morals now when it comes to Robertson?
yeah
Can't they just pray the alzheimer's away like gayness? Oh...sorry...that doesn't work either...what if the imaginary boogeyman just took this old fool "home"? He could do the world a favor and leap into a volcano...
Dude, what the hell.
– A
The only reason he is saying this is because people with spouses with alzheimer's spend their money on care, and not on giving it to DISGUSTING EXCUSES FOR A HUMAN BEING like Pat Robertson. I hope he gets it and his wife applies the same logic to his sorry behind.
Robertson continues to spew his hate on planet earth because he's not going to heaven, and hell sure as hell won't take human filth!
In the past and present days of Islam taking on another wife while you are still married to the one with Alzheimer's would be a blessing because you would not be abandoning the present wife and the second wife would be helpful with the sick wife. Allah is most merciful.
As his wife suffered with Alzheimer's, Rev. Robertson McQuilkin said, "If I took care of her for 40 years, I would never be out of her debt." Pat Robertson really blew it on this issue. For a Christian response to the caller's question please see http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/februaryweb-only/2-9-11.0.html
My mother died from Alzheimers 15 years ago. My father went through all his savings to pay for her expensive care. He could have divorced her and had the state pay for it. Did he do it - of course not! "For better or for worse" means just that. Pat, you call yourself a "Christian"? You are truly pathetic.
Pat is the kind of guy these people listens too,I think he is a fool and the people who listens to this man are no different,he never had anything good to say I never could understand how people like him can call himself a CHRISTIAN.
I'm wondering if the state laws even allow a spouse to divorce someone who's severely ill, especially mentally ill, with no concept of what is happening. These laws are in place to keep the person who's ill from becoming a public charge.
I will bet you 13 coins that if it were a wife talking about her husband with alzheimer's he would say it is her duty to stand by him. I'll just bet.
mercury32
this is the point i was going to make. i wish this site had a like button.
pat r. is a fraud. he has always been a fraud, but now he is a crazy fraud.
i think people who listen to him as as crazy as he is-but that's entertainment-
why is it that when you write on this site that you get a note saying you have made this point before–this is especially annoying when not only is that not true, but it is the first time you have posted on the article.
Exactly right!
when will this man just shut the fu** up?????
First to clarify, I think Robertson is an idiot who is full of hate and deserves the worst in the world. THAT BEING SAID, I work with people with Alzheimers and I think people who dont have NO idea how hard it is on families. I see it day in and day out. You really cant blame someone for wanting to move on with their life and get a divorce, and I can absolutely sympathise with it after seeing what its like to take care of someone with Alzheimers. It is also incredibly admirable that others choose to keep the relationship going, if that is not love then nothing is.
Its just a really really tough situation and some people can handle it and others cant. You cant judge those who choose the divorce, and you cant help but be in awe of those who stick it out through thick and thin. Like I said, having taken care of people with the disease, I cant judge.
I'm not fan of Robertsons. I'm an Atheist and I think he's possibly one of the most bigoted horrible people on the planet. That being said, I find myself in surprise agreement with him. I had a grandmother who had some sort of weird stroke, or whatnot (she was afraid of a CAT scan so we never did find out what was up). Anyhow, she lost all her short term memory making abilities (think 'Memento') and would 'reset' every 10 minutes and she was back to when she had the stroke. Very strange. In any case, my grandfather stuck by her until her death, which was quite painful. We all thought it would have been much better to put her into a care home, and have grandpa move on with his life, but the costs were extreme, and she was ok so long as she wasn't left alone. Alzheimers is different. Your spouse (or whomever is inflicted with it) forgets everything, including the marriage you are in. In the alzheimer's patient's mind, they really dont know that they are married.
Divorcing someone who doesnt recognize you, or even know that they're married is fine in my eyes, but it does NOT mean you abandon them. Robertson never said you abandon someone, but moving on with your romantic life is not some evil sin, even in my eyes. You would still take care of that person of course. I think he meant divorce, not abandonment, is ok... anyhow, call me flabbergasted i could even agree with that punk.
I had a friend just die of Alzheimers. She forgot everybody else's name but she never forgot the name of her husband. Her husband was supportive until the end and I think his love made her life less miserable. A caregiver without love is not good enough.
I'm in agreement with you, matt.
And I am a Jesus-Freak.
Who are any of us to cast the first stone into this guy's case?
can you say.....damed fool?
Pull up your pants, Mr. Robertson....your brain is showing!
Did you hear that Mrs. Robertson?
Pat has clearly lost his mind so feel free to pack up and leave. And if you're already having an affair with the other guy than you can find satisfaction in knowing you are doing the better thing.
Probably for the best. Pat has always been a hypocrite and the snake-oil salesman of Christianity.
Wow?the evil one got into the church by invading the church and allowed the Church to abuse children.Now this great christian or so called man of the cloth has further embarrased and sunk the church further by his filthy and ignorant statement. I cant believe it. I would not even mention the bible, have the gall to say that those who have AlzIeimersshould die.I am not amember of any party . But the day before, a member of the Tea party said that a person who had no insurance should be allowed to die if they got ill.how could anyone vote for either of these candinates is beyond reason.How is it that c.nn and other tv stations not raised hell I cant understand. People treat their animals better than they treat peopleit seems .If that is correct then and only then they would say such a thing and may be we can clarify them as nothing but animals
Alzheimer's is a hard thing to have to face for the ENTIRE family of a person who has Alzheimer's , even more so for the person who has Alzheimer's.To cut and run from a loved one who has Alzheimer's or any illness is akin to cutting and running from your fellow soldiers in a battle in war.I would not want a squad of Pat Robertson like individuals fighting in a squad for me or that I am in while in a war for my country.Robertson may have a large bank account but it`s almost a proven thing now Pat Robertson has no spine.I really do not like saying that , bit hopefully saying it will give him and others like him a spine now that it`s said and hopefully read by those who need to know this.
Ret. Staff Sergeant (SSG)
Abandoning your loved one to satisfy your own selfish desires just proves that he is not a true Christian.
Amen to that JD !
Pat Robertson... Please just die quietly. Go to heaven or wherever you think you are going and spare the rest of the world your parochial bigotted views..If there is a God, deal with him..
I chuckle when thinking about THAT meeting......I can see your face, and the utter surprise when you are told that:' Err....you seem to have missed the point all your life...sorry"...
How about fire and brimstone, Pat....? Now that would be justice....
What ever happened to " in sickness and in heath"?????????????? I guess when your a Robinson christian you simply dump your spouse if they get sick and move on to a healthy one..........
God's word says "till death", who is he (Pat R.) to think he can add to or take away from God's holy and final word. Maybe Pat has Alzheimer's and has forgotten what the Bible says. People STOP giving your money to people like him, you're only making him richer.
Shut your pie hole you stupid old man. People like you and your followers make me glad I am an athiest! At least I have a better moral code than you ever will. Just wither off and die somewhere like an old dog. Be gone I said be gone.
Should one’s marriage mate in the course of time go insane or contract an incurable disease or a loathsome one, this is no true basis for getting a divorce. In this case the unfortunate mate must be treated just as an injured member of one’s body or as one’s child by one’s mate. The mate should be treated with proper care, not be cut off from relationship by legal divorce. Despite the ailment the sick mate remains one flesh with the healthy one and deserves full attention and faithfulness as his own flesh. This displays love for one’s flesh and helps to lighten the terrible situation, rather than worsen it. “In this way husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own flesh, but he feeds and cherishes it, as the Christ also does the congregation, because we are members of his body. ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh.’” (Eph. 5:28-31, NW) The faithful mate will not forsake the other during illness either mental or physical. By God’s law the healthy one is not freed to do so. Naaman’s wife was not freed from him because he was a leper whose terrible disease only a miracle of Almighty God could cure. (2 Ki. 5:1-4, 8-14) At a wedding the mates usually vow to take each other for better or for worse.
In this time of the end, marriage partners need to “keep comforting one another and building one another up.” (1 Thess. 5:11)
Anyone seeking their own advantage is being selfish and not looking out for their spouse who they promised to be there better or for worse.
False Teacher I say.