The creator of the advice column "Dear Abby," Pauline Phillips, 84, has Alzheimer's disease, according to a statement issued by her family.

Jeanne Phillips, who since 1987 has written the column started by her mother in 1956, said her mother's memory loss has been gradual.

"Out of respect for my father and his wishes, I have not been at liberty to discuss my mother's Alzheimer's publicly," Jeanne Phillips said in a statement. "That may change one day, but right now, I hope it's enough for the people who love her to know that she's physically healthy and is receiving the best professional care in the world, surrounded by family who love her."

Pauline Phillips, who wrote under the pen name Abigail Van Buren, lost her twin sister, who wrote an advice column under the name Ann Landers, to cancer in June.

Other sources: Universal Press Syndicate