Hi Sherma,
I think everyone has memory lapses now and then. I'm 53 and will find ice cream melted in the refrigerator because I neglected to put it in the freeze. I'm always looking for my keys and glasses (keys are easier to find with glasses on I've found!). A sandal in the underwear drawer could have easily been picked up accidentally while putting away laundry.

To answer your question, my mom had Alzheimer's but thought she was as sharp as a tack. My dad has early/mid Alzheimer's and doesn't know his memory is bad.

Too many lists can hinder rather than help. I type lists in large easy to read print and put them on a pin-up board on the kitchen wall. Keys go on the table as I enter the house (now after loosing them so many times). And as for my dad, he is getting himself in the habit of putting things where they belong, especially hearing aids, denture partials.

As we get older there is much to remember. Habit becomes a good friend.

After several years of having dementia symptoms, my mother is finally admitting that she forgets things. But she is still not at the point of admitting that her reasoning is faulty or that her emotions are all over the place. I think it is very hard thing to admit or even realize.

The key to going through this gracefully, is to accept it if your loved ones are telling you something, accept the help that is being offered, and try to keep a sense of humor about it. That is the difference betweee being an angry, confused person, and being a slightly addled dear.

Hi Sherma,

I just wanted to say that I am 42, have no health issues and I forget things all the time. Two days ago, I put on a pair of glasses even though I was already wearing a pair! I have found my keys in the freezer, and dog food in the fridge. I have joined websites and completely forgot about them a year later. In fact, your post reminded me of a site I joined about the drug interferon when Dad was having cancer treatments a few years ago. I go to the store and come home with everything except what I went for, too.

I understand your concern about wondering if a person with Dementia would accept what others tell them is true. We wonder that about Dad, and usually he does not believe it until several days later. But he does eventually accept it, and he is having severe symptoms including violence and entire days with seemingly almost no reasoning. What you describe sounds more like normal stuff that most people forget or misplace. At least it does to me. I wish you the very best. Parkinson's is no fun on its own. My mother has a tremor that is similar to Parkinson's, and my grandmother developed it at a very young age. However, her mind was clear as a bell her whole life and she lived a very long, full and happy life.

for lisbeth-

my husband has dementia w/ beginning alzeheimer's. we live in a large city and i was able to get the diagnosis from a neuropsych. PHD who my internist recommended. Medicare paid for the two day testing. He's 74. He's on aricept and namenda (very pricy!!) and I see no lessening of the advancement of the disease. It doesn't get better, that's the one thing they know. My husband gets angry and violent a day or two a week. like your mom, I don't know which guy is going to wake up each day. I say she tries to get a good MD who can help HER with anti-anxiety meds if necessary. that's helped me maintain my balance. a good doc for dad (compassionate is the word) and a phone support group for your mom. it really helps to talk to someone in the same boat, because there isn't a whole lot your mom can do to make Dadt better unfortunately.

Sherma, I'm younger (early 50's) and I too have dementia. Since Jan 2008 I have lost so many of my former competencies.

I have been very aware of many, many of the crazy things I've done, but I realize it only in the middle of doing it, or some times later when I realize I did something that made no sense.

I used to think others were doing things (hiding or stealing things, throwing things away) then finally realized it was me. I know in my heart that no one in my family would do those things to me - so it has to be me. Some things I've never found, lol.

Lately, there have been times when hubby has told me of something I did or knew or heard very recently, but I don't remember anything about it. My long term memory is still pretty fine though.

I finally determined to simply accept that I do weird stuff sometimes.

I too have problems naming my loved ones at times. Sometimes I cannot get my mouth to move at all when someone asks a question or can't swallow quickly enough to answer.

I think it is pretty cool to have the ability to be aware, now that I have come to terms with it. Out of all my health problems, more than anything, I wish I had my head back. God Bless.