- Introduction
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Caregiving
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- Coping with Memory Loss
- Costs and Insurance
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- Health and Wellbeing of the Caregiver
- Home Safety Adjustments
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- Talking to Children about Alzheimer's
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- Telling Someone They Have Alzheimer's
- Transition to Assisted Living
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- Related Conditions
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Q: My 80 years old mother and my sister were having a normal conversation when my mother suddenly said that she couldn't find the lime green volkswagen that my sister gave her.
It is understandable why this conversation is of concern to you. While some cognitive impairment or decline is common in older age, problems with expressing thoughts or comprehending requests and confusion or disorientation to person, place, and/or time can be symptoms of dementia. However, these can also be symptoms of other medical or physical conditions, some of which may be treatable. The only way to determine whether or not your mother is in fact showing signs of early dementia is to have her fully assessed and evaluated by a physician. The physician may administer a series of tests which could include a mental status examination, blood or urine tests, and/or brain scans, and these tests will help determine the possible cause of your mother's confusion. If she is diagnosed with dementia, the doctor may prescribe medications that can help slow down the progression of the disease by managing the symptoms.
Hi oldest daughter,
You are sure she is talking about the car, not the pattern on the clothes? It seems it may be a sgin of dementia and it does not hurt if you bring her to the doctor to check. Don't make assumption it is dementia, it could be other medical conditions. Next time you can try to ask her what is that about to get more clues about what it is. If it was about the car in the drawer, well it is something wrong for sure.
Regards,
NC
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Thank you for your response. She is being treated for other conditions (including depression). We will make sure to bring her to her physician. Thanks again for everyone's responses and concern.