wondering whether my mom has alzheimers or another form of dementia
My healthy and active 80 year old mother is showing some concerning signs of dementia. she repeats questions/retelling stories multiple times, she has forgotten her childrens birth dates/years which is unusual for her; asked my 47 yr old brother if he was born in 1949, (that would make him 60) asked my sister which sibling she shared a birthday with, (actually I have 2 brothers who share a birthday). But the more concerning thing to me is she has mistaken one of my sister's in law for the other in conversation, asking her about her sons are doing in Iraq, (she has no sons in Iraq) and she forgets objects i.e., signs, buildings she has seen. Example: a neighbors lattice work patio enclosure she admires and has commented about countless times in the past. every time she sees it is the first time. (she insists she has never asked me about it, nor has she ever seen it before). Recently she met with a new physician who put her on a trial of Aricept at my request although she seemed non-commital about a diagnosis. I do not know whether this medication is appropriate for mom, or whether it could help other forms of dementia. What testing might help to diagnose her? Or who might I take her to for a more in depth evaluation? I am saddened and frustrated by the changes I am seeing in my wonderful mother.
Hi Lisakh,
I had that same question about 7 years ago. What I did is took my Mom to her family doctor. She sent us to a Gerontologist (doctor for elderly). He did a test, it ask a lot of questions and had her write things down and had memory testing in it too. He said she had mild dementia. I ask is it Alzheimer's? maybe was his reply. Confused...I went out to research how dementia is related to Alzheimer's. There are a lot of different types of dementia and Alzheimer's is one of them. Your mom probably has one of the different types, just from what you said in your question. I am NOT a doctor, though. I don't know where you live, but in Michigan we have an Alzheimer's Association and they are more than willing to offer a lot of free information. I'm sure you can also reach them online. I wish you the best of luck and your Mom the best wishes. I would be glad to talk with you. dreaminbyday@yahoo.com
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There is also a description by a Doctor at this link that may be helpful: http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/8646/dementia-disease/?ic=4004
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Hi, Lisakh,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. What I would suggest (in order to find out what is happening) is that you schedule an appointment with her for a neurologist. That way, you'll be able to determine what is going on. Yes, your mom's symptoms might lead to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, or it could be a stroke or the result of an old brain injury. Therefore, having the neurologist do testing is important.
Dr. Roeltgen also wrote an interesting sharepost on the testing for Alzheimer's. It's located at:
http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/22326/testing
Take care and keep us posted on what's happening!
Dorian
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Hi, Lisaka,
I just noticed that Christine Kennard posted this sharepost yesterday on diagnosing Alzheimer's, which also may be of help:
http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/57548/42080/diagnosing
Take care!
Dorian
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Dementia is the umbrella, Alzheimer's is just one type of dementia. There are others related to head injuries, alcohol/drug abuse, strokes, etc. Her symptoms sound like the early stages of Alzheimer's. The best advice I can give after living through it with my own mother, and as a facilitator for a caregiver support group for Alzheimer's, is to see a neurologist, get an MRI or better yet, a PET scan done, get it diagnosed by ruling out others factors, and have your mother started on medications if it is indeed Alzheimers. The meds are not a cure, but they do help with the symptoms and keep them on a more level playing field, which helps the caregivers as well. And my advice to you personally, is to find a caregiver support group in your area by contacting the Alzheimer's Association online. Good luck to you and your family.
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I answered the questions correctyl. What error occurred?
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I wonder if my husband keeps repeating question over and over does he have dementia or what?? we justedmoved and trying to find a Job.. I'm working now thank god.. keeps hurting himself by accident...his 60..good man..
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My 86 yr old husband has had memory loss. He cannot remember something he ate or heard 10 minutes earlier. However, he still functions pretty well, in that he showers, shaves, dresses himself (sometimes with my advice). He has forgotten the address of one of our doctors but went to the library to look it up. His hearing is impaired also, but refuses to wear the hearing aids which he got thru the VA for nothing. He depends on me for most decisions, like where to eat, what movie to see, or what to do on a lovely day. This has been going on for about 3 years now. I am explosive and he is laid back, which sometimes infuriates me. We are going to another geriatric doctor as he has never actually been diagnosed with Alzheimers. I have recently read an article that a man with many symptoms of Alzheimers was actually low on vitamin B12, He does repeat questions several times, but still being able to function I wonder if he really has Alzheimers. He's on both Aricept and Namenda.
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