A member asked:

My grandmother has alzheimer's disease, so will she forget english and relearn the german of her childhood?

10 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Dr. Alvin Lin answered

Yes & No: While no one can predict the future per se (aside from death & taxes), those w/dementia tend to forget recent events while remembering distance memories. So while it is possible someone might lose their "english as a second language" skills, they won't so much "relearn" their mother tongue as revert back to using it. Hope that semantic/philosophical answer makes sense & helps.

Answered 7/15/2012

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Dr. Maureen Nash answered

Specializes in Geriatric Psychiatry

Possibly: It depends on how old she was when she switched to the new language as well as how verbally oriented she was.

Answered 9/7/2013

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It may happen: People with alzheimer's disease often lose their second language and revert to their first one. It does not require relearning, they just remember it well.

Answered 2/19/2013

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