The Young and the Restless Confirms Dina Mergeron Has Alzheimer’s Disease!

The Young and the Restless‘ Mal Young, who serves as both head writer and executive producer, has been addressing some of the storylines from the show’s previous regime.

One thing he’s clarified is that Dina has Alzheimer’s. To a fan on Twitter, who praised both the exec and Marla Adams (Dina) for their work on the show, Young replied: “Very sad that it affects so many people and their families. An important story to tell. @alzassociation.”

Reversal Of Misfortune
Even though Sally Sussman Morina said that Dina is struggling with Alzheimer’s, there was no guarantee that that storyline would have continued.

It was believed at one point Victoria’s odd behavior was the result of her altercation with Abby following Nikki’s performance in June. Instead we learned, under Young’s writing, that it was tainted face cream that was causing Victoria to act so out of character.

Sweet Caroline
It’s not uncommon for shows to reverse decisions when a character has been diagnosed with a fatal disease.

On Days of Our Lives, Caroline Brady had many Alzheimer’s indicators, but when the writers changed, her condition was explained away as something else.

Out Foxed
This happens on primetime dramas, too. Lucious Lyon on Empire was originally diagnosed with ALS, which means the character would, in all likelihood, die early. But the show’s scribes changed things by revealing instead the music exec had myasthenia gravis, which is chronic, but not fatal, though it can be in some cases.

Now, We Know
Those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease can live for some time, so it’s not a given that we’re going to see Dina exit the canvas anytime soon. The show is in a position to now educate viewers as Dina undergoes treatment and is surrounded by her loving family.

While the Abbott kids have understandably had issues with their mom, who walked out on them decades ago, we imagine that they’ll be supportive to her now when she needs them the most.

The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes.