MMSE shenanigans again

Quilting brings calm

Mom had a follow up visit with her NP in the neurology department.  Her MMSE score has improved to 28.   She only missed remembering the three words- could remember one, and then later, two.  She also didn’t know exactly which floor of the building the doctor’s office was on.  I dropped her off at the entryway built into that floor of the parking garage and then parked  the car and walked her into the office- so she didn’t pay attention to the numbers.  So the doctor was happy - but did up her donepizel to 10 milligrams.  

Now, I will admit Mom has seemed stable for a while now, and her anxiety and depression is being treated.  However, she can’t remember things for more than a couple minutes in real life. We have a repetitive conversation on a loop in a phone call.  Then she will call me back two minutes after we hang up to tell me what she just told me five times.That is a daily occurrence.  She’s losing the names of things - a pool noodle is a ‘water tube’ for example. She’s wearing depends for urine and occasionally will go number two in them ‘because it’s easier’.   She hasn’t done the bills or the checkbook for years,  and thinks she reads a lot because she sometimes reads the Reader’s Digest.  She fixates on my step-dads health and behavior problems 

In fact, we had the same conversation five times on the 20 minute drive back to her AL. 

It made me think of harshed  buzz and her dad getting in the wrong vehicle leaving the doctors office after a good report. 

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Quilting brings calm

Victoria - I’m not making fun of the Reader’s Digest.  I’ve had a subscription for decades.   However,  it’s about the only reading my mom does.

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Gallmeiers

Quilting Brings Calm, we have experienced everything you described here. Two years ago SIL thought she was perfectly capable of handling her own affairs. But her financial manager called DH and told him he had to take over. We discovered SIL hadn’t paid bills in years! We moved her to AL 5 minutes from our home. She complained continuously. After COVID and 5 weeks in hospital, she has no idea that she is in MC. But some days she is fairly lucid and tries to do crossword puzzles. Still amazes me.

Quilting brings calm

Gallmeiers - Covid can really accelerate the dementia due to the brain fog symptom.   I don’t know if it’s a temporary acceleration or not.  It is truly amazing how some days they can seem a lot less impacted than others. 

Mom has never been given the 2-3 hour test regimen. I’m quite sure she’d never make it through it as she’d get too agitated.  I was in the room when my step-dad went through those tests, so I know what is involved. He didn’t realize  how bad he did, so was cheerful throughout it.  I know mom would notice how bad she was doing, which would upset her.  Those tests would however give us a much more accurate picture of her level.   I wish there was something in between the MMSE and the full test because the MMSE isn’t an accurate portrayal of real life decline in the early stages.   

RobinNicole

Before placing my mom we had the same experience with the neurologist.   She actually improved on the little test and then once back int he car I asked the same questions and she could not answer them.  We had the new meds, made the adjustments he wanted - more exercise, brain games, social etc. and so when she performed better it seemed like things were “working”.   

Interestingly we had the longer test at the neuro psych six months earlier who had suggested we start sooner than later on finding an AL/ MC.  For my mom she show timed well during the short tests and visits, but at home we were making all kinds of accommodations and securing things.