Friend Says Neil Rogers Suffering From Vascular Dementia

NEIL ROGERS' condition has deteriorated as the SOUTH FLORIDA talk radio legend battles progressive vascular dementia, according to his longtime attorney and friend NORM KENT. The SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL's TOM JICHA posted a message from KENT SUNDAY (12/12) that disclosed that ROGERS, most recently the midday host at BEASLEY Sports WQAM-A/MIAMI, "did not go to a hospice to recover. Doctors tell us there is no reason to believe he necessarily will."

The dementia, complicated by ROGERS' diabetes and stroke, has "functionally impaired his cognitive abilities. He is not always aware of his circumstances and surroundings. The progressive deterioration and decline has been rapid; significant since THANKSGIVING," KENT wrote, adding that ROGERS is also suffering from "Sundowners Syndrome," causing agitation and confusion in late afternoon or early evening hours.

ROGERS is surrounded by his closest friends and acquaintances, according to KENT, and is receiving around-the-clock care, but KENT said that "visits and phone calls are no longer appropriate" and that he will end daily updates and use the occasion to raise public awareness of the preventability of vascular dementia by maintaining physical health from a young age.

"It has been a privilege to serve as agent and counsel for NEIL ROGERS for over a quarter of a century," wrote KENT. "As we have seen, the same foibles, faults, and flaws affecting all human beings have at times humbled NEIL. As demanding as he was, he only sought professionalism on the air and loyalty in his personal life. As ballistic and bellicose and belligerent as he was on the air, so too was he remarkably generous, beneficent, and tame in his personal life. As much of a star as NEIL may have been, so too can you be a star in your own life for your friends, your family and those in need. Make every day count."

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