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MMES test

lilacgirl
lilacgirl Member Posts: 91
Eighth Anniversary 25 Likes 25 Care Reactions 10 Comments
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Finally got my mom to her doctor, discussed with the doctor first our concerns about her confusion and memory loss, they gave her the MMES test — and she scored a 24 out of 30, which is just below "normal."

Our experience with her is that she is much worse than this. She has been struggling for a long time with dates, schedules, times. She has been repeating stories and questions and not retaining answers for 2 years. Recently, she was in her own home and she asked me "How am I getting home?" and when I told her "You ARE home," she argued with me for a moment. She has forgotten my brother's name, she mixes up the concepts of Hot and Cold, she needed me to come in to the shower with her the other day because the water was too hot and she couldn't figure out how to turn it down…

Oh, and when I mentioned the memory test her doctor gave her 2 days afterward — she said, "What memory test?"

I've spent the past week with her, and with every excuse she makes for every lapse, I'm starting to question my own sanity!

She blames all lapses on the fact the she is grieving the death of my dad, who passed away in December. I'm sure that makes it worse. But we are caregiving from afar and don't want her to be driving, and we eventually want to get her into assisted living closer to us.

Am I wrong??? Is she more fine than I think???

Comments

  • H1235
    H1235 Member Posts: 2,320
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    Welcome. When mom was given the quick test at the pcp she did fine. I insisted on a referral. After the 2 hour cognitive exam, the neurologist said she was not safe to drive and should not be living alone. Don’t put much into that quick little test. You know your mom and can see things the doctor has not. From what you are describing, she is not ok. In my opinion it’s time of assisted living. There can be a waiting list to get in some places. I would e you to start looking into a facility now and get her name on a waiting list. Many with dementia have anosognosia. This is the inability to recognize their symptoms or limitations. This could cause her to put herself in a very dangerous situation. If she forgets about the bacon on the stove, she could burn the house down. If her reaction time is affected or visual spacial ability is impaired she could cause a very serious car accident. She is very vulnerable to scams. She could loose her life savings (she is going to need it, dementia care is expensive). I could go on and on. You can’t expect or wait for her to admit she needs help, it will never happen. Lack of good judgment is a common symptom I had no idea existed. In the beginning I thought it was all about memory and maybe a bit of confusion. There is so much more to it. Because they are not able to comprehend what is happening they make excuses and put the blame on someone or something else. Do you have a DPOA. This is very important! If not see a lawyer as soon as possible! She has to be of sound mind to sign the paperwork. I have attached a few resources for you. In the beginning of this ugly journey there is so much to do and so much uncertainty. Hang in there. As more questions come along reach out, share what’s happening and vent if needed.

  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 6,931
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    @lilacgirl

    IME, the MMSE (and MoCa and SLUMS) are pretty blunt instruments that don't always translate into how well a PWD functions day-to-day. Often, docs do these tests at a time of day when a PWD is at their best and also while they're "showtiming". Considerable cognitive reserve can also cloud how impacted a PWD is; I watched my dad do serial subtraction as quickly as I can and not 5 minutes later get into a car being driven by a stranger thinking it was his.

    I'd make sure you have the legal paperwork (POA or guardianship) you need to act on her behalf in the state to which you plan to move her. I would also stop pointing out her lapses and poor memory test results. Create a fiblet about her coming for a visit calling the AL a nice "senior resort" or "55+ apartment" and then deal with her current home once she's been moved out.

    HB

  • pamu
    pamu Member Posts: 137
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    No, you're not wrong. My mom tested last with her neurologist in Aug after a fall. She can draw a clock and count by 7's with not much issue. Meanwhile at home she was paranoid and having delusions. He thought she was "charming" and said she tested one point higher than the last time….which was total BS. She moved from her apartment to AL the next month after that appointment and within 18 days of moving to AL had to be hospitalized for wandering/eloping. She was then sent to MC. Your observations are more important than the test. What type of doctor gave her the test? If she doesn't have one already, find a geriatric psychiatrist. They specialize in treating symptoms of dementia and understand the behaviors.

  • JesseLee
    JesseLee Member Posts: 42
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    Agreed. My dad got a 24/30 also, a few months ago. "Thankfully" he's done worse on prior tests because a 24/30 would probably DQ him from Medicaid. Keep a log or journal of objective behaviors and decline.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more