Alzheimer's or normal aging? Very confused!!!

[4given1]

Oh my goodness, I just typed out the longest message, and it completely disappeared!!! Here is the short version....any opinions would be so very appreciated!

Over the past year my 79 y.o. grandmother has been exhibiting what I think is alarming cognitive decline. The rest of the family just kind of blows it all off as "normal aging", but I'm not so sure.

She is becoming increasingly forgetful. One day, she will have forgotten that the family Thanksgiving dinner will be held at a certain home this year, but the next, she will remember it fully, right down to what she decided a month ago that she would bring! She will ask one of her grandchildren (an only child) about her sister in Alabama, when the sister is really that of the grandchild's mother! When corrected, she will just shake her head and acknowledge that she "just got confused." She tells the same stories over and over again within a short period of time. We are a tight-knit family and all live close-by, so why is she telling us things that we are obviously very aware of? For example, she tells us all the time about my grandaddy's dog, who he takes to the farm with him everyday. (Yes, grandaddy's dog has been a special member of the family for more than 10 years!) And just last night she told me about her 9 y.o. tabby cat who does tricks...except she described him as a black tomcat with a "tuxedo" spot that died several years ago!

I talked to her on the phone for about 10 minutes last week, and within that time, she asked me 4 times where I was.

Keep in mind that my grandmother has for years been somewhat paranoid, anxious and contrary, but otherwise quite sane. I think that at the very least, she should be taken to a doctor for a definative diagnosis, but those decisions are left to my grandfather, mother and uncle, and they just seem to think it's all normal behavior and aren't that concerned. I would really appreciate the advice and/or opinions of those of you who have experienced this phenomena first hand. I don't know how to convince my family that it's time for some intervention!

Thanks so much!

[Kaylynne]

You're situation sounds so much like mine. You're right about it being so confusing. How does a doctor distinguish between normal aging and Alzheimer's? So many of the elderly have dementia but is dementia just the beginning stages of Alzheimer's? I just don't know.

I really do think that someone needs to intervene and get your grandmother to a doctor for testing. That's what my sisters and I plan on doing with our mother after Christmas. My mother has been tested before and was not ruled to have Alzheimer's but here in the last week, her regular doctor called me at work to tell me that my mother is in the early stages of Alzheimer's. I guess my mother's decline in her short-term memory led the doctor to this conclusion. That's why my sister plans on taking my mother to another neurologist after Christmas.

I can relate to the constant repetition that you mentioned. I hear it all the time from my mother. I constantly have to repeat things to her, too. The memory thing is so strange. She can remember things that happened to her in the past or to one of her children, but she can't remember what I told her just a few minutes ago.

I wish you strength.

[rubindj]

Alzhiemers is a complex diagnosis, but it can be tested for. The following is what is performed:

1) Clinical interview with patient and family.
2) Rule out other problems that could be causing problems.
3) Use of the Mini-Mental Status exam, or other test, a brief psychological questionaire that can be administered by a doctor or psychologist.

The MMSE is probably the most popular method, but it is not the most accurate, especially at detecting cases early on. If you feel you want additional tests performed with more accuracy, ask for a referal psychologist who can perform a more complex evaluation.

rubindj

[JudithAnn]

My mother has similar problems. I would suggest that she see a physician who specializes in aging, a geroantologist. She could be tested for alzeheimers or perhaps she just has dimentia. My mother is scheduled for a 4-hour mental evaluation at a local hospital this week. Precription drugs can also cause confusion. Good luck. I'm trying to find out answers to how mental aging can be reversed.

God bless. I liked your scripture reference regarding children. They are a blessing from the Lord.

[Shakira]

That sounds like my Grandma. She asks the same question about 6 times in half an hour. It's so frustrating and i feel like giving her a different answer everytime because it sounds like she's doing it on purpose and i want to try and catch her out, but i just go along with her. I went to visit her yesterday and she asked me if i was ready for Christmas! I daren't tell her we'd just had Christmas, so i just said "Yeah."