Possible Early Dementia in Mom

Hello -  My mom is 67 and relatively healthy.  She has mild asthma which is well controlled.  She is a happy person and has been happily married to my father for 42 years.  I think over the past several months I have noticed some short term memory issues, but not many.  She will tell me something she recently told me.  Perhaps not exactly the same or with the same details, but I have noticed this a few times in the past serveral months.  I have actually tested her in my own way a few times.  I will tell her something, and see if the following week she would remember it or I mention some event which should trigger her to bring up what I told her.  She seems fine each time I "tested" her.  I can't tell if there is truely an issue.  But even my mom has admitted her short term memory is not what it use to be.  

What should be done if anything?  I have heard that your memory not being the same is not about getting older, its really the start of dementia.  I don't want to make this a big ordeal if there really is not an issue, but I tend to worry and if there is an issue I want to encourage getting it addressed.  

thanks

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

This is a judgment call.  A certain amount of short-term memory loss at that age can be related to nothing more than being distracted or disinterested or having other things on her mind.  If that is the case, calling attention to it creates unnecessary distress.  The idea of taking supplements is a good idea for everyone at that age.  You might silently continued to watch to see if there is any advancement in the difficulty and if there is, and then reopen the issue by arranging a visit with a neurologist

[Paxiled]

I'm not the doctor, but a suggestion.  First, as we age, our brains become cluttered with useless information, so the brain discards some of it.  That's normal.  Second, there's not much you can do at this point if it's dementia, since there's not known cause or cure yet.  But there are supplements she can take for the normal course of aging to ensure the proper nutrients are circulated throughout the body, including to the brain.  These include ginkgo biloba, gota kola, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl choline, DHA (from fish oil), and others.  You might research these and gently broach the possibilities with her, or take her to the nearest small health food store to hear people talk about it, assuming Whole Foods hasn't driven them all out of business (and never go to a Vitamin Shoppes or GNC or other chain -- not trustworthy).

[Jaquta]

People do tend to have memory issues as they age.  Keeping the brain active can slow brain disease.

Stress and anxiety can cause us to forget things.

You could start by discussing your concerns with your mother and then take it further if you feel you need too.

Sometimes our own fears and concerns for our parents can make the issue seem more significant than it is.  Sometimes we're also right to be concerned.

J