Florence Nightingale's memory loss.

Alzheimer's disease presents in many guises from the frankly florid to the benign decline in memory and functioning. Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) is well known to the public as the face behind the nursing profession. What has not been well studied is her cognitive decline in old age. Evidence is presented to support the diagnosis of late onset Alzheimer's disease, perhaps from a familial basis, this being the major contributor to her death. Her last years were with dignity and can be an inspiration to our patients who are newly diagnosed and their carers. Her case serves to remind us of the extended period the illness may take.