Dag Otto Lauritzen (67) is a well-known and beloved profile that most people have a relationship with here in Norway.
He had his breakthrough as a cyclist, where he distinguished himself as the first Norwegian to ever win a stage in the Tour de France.
After he gave up cycling, he worked as a cycling expert on TV.
Day Otto won “Champion of Champions” in 2009, and reached the semi-finals in “Shall we dance” i 2007.
Kristian Ødegård was the host of the dance program, and they quickly found the tone and initiated several collaborations in the years that followed.
Among other things, they are both presenters in the TV 2 favorites “Kompani Lauritzen” and “Huskestue”. The duo has also led programs such as “On wheels with Dag Otto”, “On tour with Dag Otto”.
These days he is current with the popular reality show “Company Lauritzen” together with exactly Ødegaard.
The case continues after the picture.
Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB scanpix
His candid words about his father’s dementia
Privately, however, it has been a tough time for Lauritzen. Last summer, the popular profile shared that he had lost his father.
“A long life is over – thanks for everything dad. 90 years. Rest in peace – we miss you already,” wrote the former professional cyclist under a picture of his father on his own Instagram-profile.
In a post on Instagram in September, Lauritzen talked about the brutal illness that affected his father and characterized the last years of his life.
“Someone once said that when you love someone with dementia you lose them more and more every day. When they are diagnosed, when they go through different stages, when they need treatment and when they die. This is called “Ambigua loss,” he wrote at the beginning, and continued:
“I wouldn’t wish dementia on anyone. As the brain slowly dies, it changes physically and eventually forgets who their loved ones are. They may end up bedridden, not moving and not eating or drinking. There will be people who will scroll past this post because dementia has not touched them. They may not know what it’s like to have a loved one who fought or is fighting dementia.”
The case continues after the picture.
Furthermore, Lauritzen encouraged his followers to share the post.
“To raise awareness of this horrible disease, I’d like my friends to put this on their page today. Thank you to everyone who has (had) friends or relatives living with dementia. A special thanks to everyone willing to post this on their timeline during Alzheimer’s Awareness Week.”
Dag Otto Lauritzen: “Got hard on everyone”
In a new interview with The home he lifts the veil on what it was like for the family to live with someone who was affected by dementia.
And not least how old age affects him.
– Is age really “just” a number? I say it myself, that age is just a number. That might be a bit misleading. The message should be: Don’t let age prevent you from living a fulfilling life! As a good adult, you need regular activity to achieve that, with or without helphe says candidly to the magazine.
In addition to everything he does, he is an ambassador for VilMer, which offers “solutions for person-centred care”, exercise, activity and socialisation. The focus is on the elderly in society.
The spark in Lauritzen was ignited when little sister Hanne (64) was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, at the same time as dad, Rolf Lauritzen, was struggling with dementia.
– Dementia is a creeping disease. We noticed that Hanne had become forgetful, but like most people in such a situation, she was good at covering it up. It’s scary to notice. When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it took a toll on the whole family. It is very sad to experience that those closest to you slowly forget you and all the memories you sharehe explains.
Don’t know what to expect
The TV profile has no idea what lies ahead in the years to come, but knows full well what it’s like to be a carer for someone who struggles with memory.
– Half a year ago she came to Feviktun housing and care centre. They take good care of her there. Like her father, she calls the staff angels. I think it’s nice to visit her. She still remembers memories from the old days better than I do. The present, on the other hand… In clear moments, she understands that it is no longer possible to live alone at home. Other times she calls me, cries and wants to go home. What perhaps pleases her the most is having her grandchild visit. Then Hanne lights up!he says to Hjemmet.
Nevertheless, he does not dwell too much on the fact that he will become demented himself.
It is inspiring how you focus as much as possible on the positive, Dag Otto.
What a role model you are!
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