How can I tell if my mother has dementia?

The best way to know if your mother has dementia would be to take her to her primary care provider. Initial testing will be performed, and she may be referred to a specialist if needed. Diagnostic tests such as brain imaging can determine the presence of dementia. Many times symptoms that mirror those of dementia can be caused by other underlying (and treatable) conditions. For example, Urinary Tract Infections in elderly adults can cause symptoms often associated with dementia. Getting a healthcare provider's opinion is the best way to definitively determine if your loved one has dementia, as speculation can lead to unwanted stress and worry.

Memory Impairment - hard time generating new memories or remembering older memories. Problems with speaking or issues with planning, organization or sequences of action or events. Cognitive deficits that lead to problems with function, like problems with motor function or identifying objects. These can be progressive symptoms but have to impair function to be dementia and not normal changes with age. You can see a primary care provider and have them refer you to a Neurologist as needed. There are special tests that can be done to test for issues like the MOCA. The doctor can easily do this, and that can help assess changes over time (although it is NOT diagnostic).

Dear Doctor is the best person who can answer your query. Please do not self diagnose. However, early signs that a person might have dementia can include: 1. being vague in everyday conversations 2. memory loss that affects day-to-day function 3. short term memory loss 4. difficulty performing everyday tasks and taking longer to do routine tasks 5. losing enthusiasm or interest in regular activities 6. difficulties in thinking or saying the right words 7. changes in personality or behaviour 8. finding it difficult to follow instructions 9. finding it difficult to follow stories 10. increased emotional unpredictability. Please do not arrive at any conclusion based on above indicative symptoms. Make sure to contact Doctor for right guidance.

If you feel your parent or guardian has Dementia then please contact a doctor. Only a doctor will know if your parent or guardian has Dementia. Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning—thinking, remembering, and reasoning—and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. These functions include memory, language skills, visual perception, problem solving, self-management, and the ability to focus and pay attention. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person's functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of living.Signs and symptoms of dementia result when once-healthy neurons (nerve cells) in the brain stop working, lose connections with other brain cells, and die. While everyone loses some neurons as they age, people with dementia experience far greater loss. While dementia is more common as people grow older (up to half of all people age 85 or older may have some form of dementia), it is not a normal part of aging. Many people live into their 90s and beyond without any signs of dementia. One type of dementia, frontotemporal disorders, is more common in middle-aged than older adults. The causes of dementia can vary, depending on the types of brain changes that may be taking place. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. Other dementias include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal disorders, and vascular dementia. It is common for people to have mixed dementia—a combination of two or more types of dementia. For example, some people have both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Dementia is something that can be so hard to identify, especially if it is in the beginning stages. It might be a little easier since it is your mother, and you have a deeper connection with her than if it were another person. Some things that I've noticed in my own experience with family members presenting onset with dementia is things like forgetting the way home while driving, not being able to remember what was put on the grocery list, etc. They are usually not the big and dramatic things like completely forgetting who you are, or who they are like seen dramatized in the movies. Usually, that comes later after a proper diagnosis and in the more mature stages. I would just watch out for small slips of memory that are becoming more prevalent, but also don't think that every little thing is a sign as well. Sometimes people just forget things, I know I do. It is important to mention any concerns you may have to a doctor. I'm sorry you're having this issue, it's truly a heartbreaking diagnosis. My love goes to you and I hope I was able to help a little bit.

This is a good question. Sometimes if an elderly parent display signs of irritableness and lack of responsibilities to duties is that a sign of dementia? I suppose a change in a person character and less interest in their motivation to their hobbies is one sign. A lack of social connection might be another. If she starts scolding or hitting people thats is a huge red flag! If such things happens I would look for intervention measures such as seeing a doctor. Research online talking to friends who are a caregiver to such people. I will encourage my parent to keep intouch with friends and their hobbies so they age gracefully.

I would be able to tell if my mother has dementia when she starts to forget her favorite things to do, like her hobbies. I would be able to tell if she stops doing her daily activities like taking care of her garden or going to the shopping place almost every two days. If she start to have short-term memory loss, forgets about important things quickly. As my mom is a very attentive and not forgetful person, it would be easier for me to tell if there are signs of dementia. you would be able to tell because she is your mom, we know them (our mom) best the way our mother knows us best.

You can tell that your mother may have dementia by recognizing a few warning signs- disorientation, inability to recognize common things, frequently getting lost, troubles sleeping, and commonly forgetting memorable/familiar things, places, and people. It also has a lot to do with genetics, so if one of her parents or grandparents had dementia, and also the age. Dementia is far more common in older people, around 65 years old and older. If you notice any of these characteristics, along with a potential gut feeling... it may be wise to take her into the doctor and have her do a test to get formally diagnosed.

Are they being vague in everyday conversations? Do they have memory loss that affects day-to-day function? Do they have short-term memory loss (like dory the blue tang fish) Are they having difficulty performing everyday tasks and taking longer to do routine tasks? Are they losing enthusiasm or interest in regular activities? Is it difficult for them to think or say the right words? If yes to most of these questions, your mother might possibly have dementia. Then again, I am not a doctor, and it is possible she might not have dementia. So I'd recommend you to check with a doctor for an actual diagnosis, meanwhile you may use internet to watch for common symptoms too.

If your mother has been experiencing some sort of memory loss, difficulty communication-wise, confusion, lack of organization skills. When talking to your mother does she seem to confuse things like if she's eaten, your name, mixing up things, then that could be a sign? Also, if she has changed in her personality, how she acts, what she does is different or new, just not acting like how she used to be could be a sign of dementia. I would suggest to visit a doctor and receiving a proper diagnosis. If she is diagnosed it may be difficult to process for everyone involved so being supportive and caring is what's best.