We've noticed an increase in having to repeat ourselves and an increase in the need for reminders/cueing of grandma who will be 97 in 2 weeks. she is also getting slightly forgetful in the order of how we do things in the bathroom...pants then lotion (so the pants don't stick on the lotion)...creams on private areas then diaper...nothing lifeshattering if not done in that order but we have been doing it that way for quite awhile.
How do you know if it's just old age....or something more?
Once your grandma has her appointment with the Dr. and the Dr. gets up to leave the room jump up after him and ask him what he thinks (once you're out of ear shot of your grandma). Listen to what he has to say then go from there.
I think sometimes, especially as someone creeps toward the magic 100 mark, the issue of how to work with the changed behavior is just as important as the reason why, after medical tests and exams have been done to determine if there are medical issues.
However, given that 3 medical professionals have noted the change, I do agree that it bears investigation. Like CWillie, my first thought was a UTI.
Alternately, have there been any family changes...caregiver illness, something like that that could cause her to be distracted?
If the nurse can rule out infections or other treatable causes, that may be as much as you can do.
Very often what appears to be hearing loss in the very elderly is more a matter of lack of comprehension of the sounds. No hearing aid addresses that.
How very fortunate you've had this relative in your lives for so many decades! It isn't terribly unusual that things get a little tougher in the late years.
GardenArtist- no hearing test that I know of. And she would probably refuse it if we asked. And getting a urinalysis from her to test for a UTI is difficult since she is incontinent and can't feel when she goes (nerve damage from radiation due to cancer) but we are working on that part at least. Family changes? Yeah, I'm pregnant and she is requiring extensive/hands on care for the first time ever (since she returned home from rehab in March). the changes we are noticing have only been in the last week or so though.
If pro-football was spoken, look out, Mom knew her stats, all the quarterback's names, if they were married, how many children they had, who was the head coach, the last time the team was in the Super Bowl, etc :) But like I said, she had to catch on to what was the subject matter first, and many times she looked lost, all due to her hearing.