Follow
Share

My mom is 93 and her signs of old age are progressing rapidly. She has short term memory, confusion, etc. She started talking in her sleep a couple of months ago. Now it is an every night thing all through the night. There have been several occasions where she is sitting up in bed and totally confused.
Can this be a sign of early dementia or just old age progression. How do you tell the difference? Help!

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
She could have a UTI, which is very common in elderly women and not always has to do with hygiene but rather changes in our pH an physiology. I would do this first before requesting a cognitive exam because if she does have these symptoms from a UTI it will cause her cognitive exam to be inaccurate.

If she is negative for a UTI, there are other medical problems that can cause dementia-like symptoms, such as vitamin deficiency, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, tumor, thyroid issues, etc. She should have a thorough exam and when everything else is discounted given a cognitive exam so that you know where you stand in helping her with any other medical treatments in the future.

I'm hoping she has assigned a PoA. Once she has incapacity she will no longer be able to assign one. I wish you much success in helping her receive the proper diagnosis and treatment.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
Ladyd67 Apr 2022
Thank you for your feedback. I did think of this. I am her caregiver and my brother is her POA. I asked him to call her primary tomorrow and discuss this with her. I think we should take a urine sample and drop it off to the lab.
(1)
Report
I would be very suspicious of dementia myself since you say she has short term memory issues and confusion while awake. That right there is a sign of dementia, so your mother should be tested right away with a mini cognizance exam ie: MoCA or SLUMS. "Just old age progression" does not present itself like this, but with mild memory problems that surface from time to time that do not interfere with everyday life. Now that she's having sleep disturbances (which is also a classic symptom of dementia), it's important you get her cognizance tested. She nor you can function like this, getting no sleep every night!

Here is a link to a helpful article from the Alzheimer's Association: Just Forgetful, Or Is It Dementia?

https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/just-forgetful-or-is-it-dementia/?gclid=CjwKCAjwi6WSBhA-EiwA6Niok8hhq4FTxNTB_Lhz4yLc-MVKHalgWISSQZ1dvpX33lmg_dgtEqSKahoC1qoQAvD_BwE

It never hurts to have a urine culture while you're at the doctor's office, either.

Wishing you the best of luck.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

It's not just one symptom but a cluster of symptoms what characterizes Alzheimer's dementia. Have her tested with a neuropsychological test. But it seems that Alzheimer's appears to be obvious already.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter