Alzheimer's Disease Support Group

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. An early symptom is memory loss (amnesia), usually manifesting as minor forgetfulness that becomes pronounced with illness progression, with relative...

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Is it Alzheimers?

deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm so worried about my mother. She's 65 and she has started forgetting a great deal of things. She asks the same questions over and over several times because she can't remember asking. I don't know if it's alzheimers. I hope it's not, she's the only sane person in my life, she's my strength, I am hers. i couldn't bear it if she could no longer remember me or if she dies. She's all I have, she's the only one who loves me. I would die without her. Our world is chaotic, everyone is screaming, dad screams at mom when she asks the same questions over and over i want to get away from them but i can't leave mom i would die if she no longer loved me or remembered me.
inmemoryofhattie
inmemoryofhattie
It sounds to me like your mother needs a good, competent medical evaluation maybe a referral to a neurologist capable of assessing her. There are many things that could cause some of the symptoms you are talking about and it would be very important to get them thoroughly checked out asap. There may be medical problems going on, without sufficient or proper treatment.

I know it is very scary to think of your mom getting sick, but people often do and especially as they age. It sounds like you would benefit from forming some friendships and from a support network...

and it sounds like you need to make sure you are doing all you need to do to keep yourself healthy...

glad you are here at DS.... hugs....
Deborah48
Deborah48
Yes, she needs to see a doctor, it could be something simple like a diet change but maybe not. I think you should go to the doctor with her.
Jamr41
Jamr41
She could be reacting to the stress in the home. Don't add to it by assuming the worse possible thing. A trip to the Dr. is first.

Good luck.
Smileydi45
Smileydi45
Yes, sweetheart, you can't immediately think of Alzheimer's or dementia, it could be lots of things. My memory is bad sometimes and my husband is in a home with Alzheimers. I immediately think, "Oh no, I must be getting dementia" but I think its just me reacting to stress. A good thorough exam with the doctor will reveal it but PLEASE try and relax, and my door is always open. Take care. Welcome to DS. :-)
Bobby5000
Bobby5000
I do think you have to think about some way of reducing the stress. Having one spouse yell at the other is not a good thing. I think your first step is to sympathize with your dad but tell him he needs to be patient. If he needs a sounding board, perhaps you're it.

Note it does not have to be this way- we have a friend who developed early Alzheimer's at around 55. Her husband is very nice, picks her up, helps with some administrative things, and they seems have a nice life, at least as good as it can be, and have taken sensible steps to address it.

Work on developing ways of dealing with the memory loss (whatever the cause). Keys and valuables can be kept in one place, there can be a list of important tel numbers and other things. Develop ways of relying upon memory less.