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Vietnam Veteran's PTSD Linked to Increased Alzheimer's Risk
12 Nov
Summary
- Veterans with PTSD have almost double the risk of developing dementia
- Veteran Doug Mitten's Alzheimer's diagnosis linked to untreated PTSD
- Caregiver wife Deborah Franklin advocates for early PTSD treatment
On November 12, 2025, a sobering reminder emerges: veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) face almost double the risk of developing dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association. This revelation has prompted a Sacramento family to share their heartbreaking journey.
Deborah Franklin is the full-time caregiver for her husband of 38 years, Doug Mitten, who is now entering the late stages of Alzheimer's. Mitten served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and his PTSD from that experience, which went untreated for decades, is believed to have contributed to his cognitive decline.
"It would not have eliminated all the risk, but it would have helped, I think," Franklin laments, wishing they had known about the PTSD-dementia link sooner. She now advocates for early action, as "today, it's probably the best day" for Mitten.
Despite the daunting diagnosis, Franklin finds solace in the memories of her husband's military service, which she displays proudly on Veterans Day. Mitten's story underscores the importance of addressing PTSD, especially among Vietnam-era veterans who often struggled to seek help upon returning home.
