Fri Sep 20 12:12:29 UTC 2024: ## Sir Alex Ferguson Opens Up About Dementia Fears and Music’s Impact on Memory

**Manchester, UK** – Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former manager of Manchester United, has spoken openly about his concerns regarding dementia. The 82-year-old, who retired from football in 2013, has witnessed several close friends and colleagues battle the debilitating disease.

“I’m obviously worried about it,” Ferguson told BBC Breakfast. “Generally, my memory is quite good – pray the lord, touch wood it’ll stay that way.”

Ferguson’s comments came on National Playlist Day, an initiative by the charity Playlist for Life, which encourages people to create personalized playlists of music linked to cherished memories. Research has highlighted the powerful impact music can have on individuals living with dementia, helping them reconnect with their past.

Ferguson himself shared his own playlist, topped by “Moon River” from the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” a song that transports him back to his childhood days playing football at Harmony Row boys’ club in Govan. He also mentioned the theme from “Gone with the Wind,” “My Own True Love,” which reminds him of his late wife Cathy.

The former manager expressed gratitude for Cathy’s unwavering support throughout his career, highlighting her role in persuading him not to retire in 2002. Ferguson also remembered his close friend Bobby Charlton, who passed away last year, and fellow Scot Denis Law, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in 2021.

Ferguson emphasized the immense burden dementia places on families, expressing sympathy for those dealing with the challenges it presents. He concluded by acknowledging the widespread impact of the disease, stating, “I think we [all] know someone close to us who has got dementia.”

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