Barbara Walters Update: Famed News Journalist’s Dementia Is ‘Getting Worse,’ She’s ‘Very Frail’

Famed news journalist, Barbara Walters, hasn’t been seen publicly for three years, and reportedly the former “The View” show host has been relegated to her New York apartment, where she is receiving constant care for her deteriorating health.

According to a source for Radar Online, Walters has been suffering from a range of illnesses, including heart disease, hearing loss, and advanced dementia, which is causing her to forget her closest friends and family.

“Barbara suffers from exhaustion and fatigue, as well as anxiety and agitation,” the source said. “She’s very frail and spends a great deal of the day napping!”

Walters reportedly is wheelchair-bound and spends the majority of her time in bed with her caretakers making decisions for her when she is not lucid.

“Sadly, her dementia has been getting worse,” a source for the news outlet said. “[Her] caretakers give her the opportunity to make everyday decisions, but more often than not she’ll stare at them blankly.”

The 89-year-old is reportedly receiving constant care, despite her rep saying she is fine and will still return to TV. Former producer friend Bill Geddie had hoped to have Walters on his new show, “Tamron Hall,” but the possibility of her appearing doesn’t seem like an option considering her health condition at this time, according to Radar Online.

“Barbara is fading a little more every day,” the source said. “She’s close to the end and her team is scrambling to manage affairs just the way Barbara would want them.”

Despite Walters’ condition, she still has moments where she recognizes her fellow talk show mates when they call, including Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg. But on bad days, she doesn’t recognize her co-stars and will go off in a tirade at their visit.

“On good days, Barbara can distinguish Joy Behar’s voice, but on a bad day, she might just hang up!” the source added.