Concerns

ldcs33

mother with early signs per what she says and is on aricept but just noticing little changes and wondering if its normal. She just says things and does things that are out of character, doesnt go out and do anything anymore like normal. We have a family business she goes to in the mornings for 30 minuets but then sits home the rest of the day. She remembers people and places and still drives places but just notice alot of weird things taht she never did before. Bed time is way earlier than normal, eating habits are different that normal, and has alot of health problems so not sure if its dementia or aging

SusanB-dil

This is not unusual for a PWD.

She's driving, though? If she has been diagnosed, and something should happen, insurance may not pay. With diagnosis, it is usually no longer safe to be driving at all.

If she has not been diagnosed, do check with her doc to rule out other issues. Other things can cause some cognitive loss, such as vitamin deficiency, thyroid, lyme disease, and other things.

H1235

Welcome. My moms first symptom had nothing to do with memory. It took me a long time to realize it could be dementia. She bought a 5 gallon bucket of paint to paint her 2 story garage she was almost 80 at the time and planned to do it herself. She bought tye dyed tennis shoes (completely out of character). She had a lot of trouble with priorities. She was convinced that if she could push her walker there was no reason she couldn’t push a lawnmower. She became a very very picky eater. At one point I found out she hadn’t replaced her toothbrush in two years. Your description sounds pretty normal for dementia. Many with dementia have anosognosia (an in ability to recognize their symptoms or limitations). You can’t trust her to tell you what stage she is at! I agree that driving even in the early stages is dangerous. Driving requires depth perception, quick responses, remembering traffic laws, a firm understanding or consequences/priorities and the ability to multitask. I will attach a few resources. She is probably never going to tell you she is not safe to drive(because of the anosognosia). Unfortunately it’s going to fall on you to take the keys away. I know that independence is important, I think most will agree that safety comes first.

Anosognosia and Dementia - AgingCare.com.pdf

DBAT.pdf

ldcs33

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/285466#Comment_285466

She has been diagnosed with early onset dementia about 3 years ago and they prescribed Aricept to help. She does not acknowledge she has dementia and never says this is what is wrong. But me along woth others see things ar home that are not normal. Like her sleep pattern is bed at 7pm not matter what, not getting out anymore but 30 min a day, not going to church anymore, not going out to eat anymore. She drives to certain places like appts and never gets lost or accidents. It is just so inconsistent and we dont know if it is truly the dementia or old age.

SusanB-dil

As H1235 and I have agreed is that she should no longer be driving. Please don't overlook that if this has already been diagnosed for 3 years, it is past time. The inconsistency, yes, would be the dementia.

Is paperwork in order? DPOA and HIPAA accesses important.

Do check out the DBAT link H1235 provided. Some doctors go by 3-stage, but most on the forum go by 7-stage, which I find way more helpful.

dcare45

All good advice above. I would certainly get her to her PCP for a checkup to rule everything else out. That sais it sounds typical of a PWD.

JJ401

…..mother with early signs per what she says….

‘per what she says’ You should not be accepting what she says as truth. Someone, preferably the person with POA, should be attending doctor appointments with her. (If the is no POA, it’s time to get one yesterday)

As to the driving, I agree with it's time to stop. If you are still in the fence with this, arrange for her to have a driving assessment done.

Maru

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/77490/concerns

Sounds like "normal" for PWD. Things change and just when you think you have it figured out, they change again. DH told me that he no longer liked such and such a food, then 6 months later asked why we never have that food anymore. Dementia is irrational.

Totally agree with JJ401. Someone needs to go with her to all dr. appts. In the beginning I told my Dh that I was just there to take notes and to bring up questions that we had.