My mom has recently been diagnosed with age related memory loss, but I am concerned because it is immediate short term memory loss. She'll ask me the same question 5 times in 3 minutes and still can't remember the answer. She can't follow simple directions like when to take her medication and how much to take. I write everything down but even referring to it several times doesn't seem to help. She repeats herself constantly and this month completely forgot to pay her bills, so I had to take it over. Now she's complaining that I'm taking everything away from her, but I have to.
Isn't this considered dementia? She can't even remember entire conversations we had the day before. And when is it time to consider a nursing home? I hate to do it, but she refuses to go to assisted living.
What you are describing in your Mom does sound like Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia. But it could also be related to medications she might be taking. Did your Mom begin taking any new meds at the time you began to notice her immediate short term memory loss? Is she taking any new meds that might counteract with others? Or have the memory problems been going on for a while? It also might be related to some other illness, such as a stroke.
Who diagnosed your Mom's age related memory loss? If it was her GP, you should make an appointment with a neurologist for a more pertinent diagnosis. Do this not only for her sake, but for yours. You need to be discussing power of attorney, etc. with her before she gets too far along, if you haven't already taken care of that!
Good luck with your Mom, and keep us updated.
In normal age-related memory loss, someone might forget part of an experience, but a person with Alzheimer’s disease will forget the whole experience.
In normal age-related memory loss, a person who forgets something will eventually remember the information; however, a person with Alzheimer’s won't recall the information at a later time.
In normal age-related memory loss, a person can usually follow instructions (verbal or written) without difficulty, but a person with Alzheimer’s disease is less and less able to follow instructions over time.
In normal age-related memory loss, using notes and other reminders is helpful, but people with Alzheimer’s gradually become less able to benefit from memory aids.
In normal age-related memory loss, people can still manage their own personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.), but those with Alzheimer’s lose the ability to engage in these kinds of tasks.