February 2001 World Headlines

Wednesday, February 7, 2001 - Web posted at 9:41:00 AM GMT

Reagan turns 90

LOS ANGELES - Former President Ronald Reagan turned 90 years old yesterday with his wife Nancy vowing never to let him be cared care for in a home that treats patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

In a wide-ranging interview with CNN's Larry King aired last night, former first lady Nancy Reagan told of the restrictive life she and the ex-president now lead because of his illness, including no longer accepting visitors he would not want to see him in the condition he is in."

"I think Ronnie would want people to remember him as he was," Mrs Reagan said.

But she added that he is recovering well from the broken hip he suffered two weeks ago and says that despite his Alzheimer's, his general health is that of a much younger man and he even has a full head of hair, with only a few gray strands, that requires regular visits from a barber to "thin it out."

"Mrs Reagan described herself as a total caregiver to her husband, saying that because of his disease, she cannot have conversations with him or share their past."

"It's sad to see somebody you love and have been married for so long (with Alzheimer's) and you can't share memories.

That's the sad part."

" she said.

Mrs Reagan said that her husband could live to be 100 years old because "Everything else" is fine, except for the Alzheimer's.

- Nampa-Reuters