I'm new to this game, it's my Mom. She hasn't been diagnosed, but her forgetfullness is alarming! In a matter of minutes she can't remember what I just told her, she asks me the same question numerous times within a short time frame, she can't remember how to operate the TV remote (even though I have the directions written down), last night tried to turn on the TV with the cordless phone, she says "I don't remember you telling me that" often, she misplaces things and will ask me where they are and I could go on......
I live in Fl and she visits me (she lives alone in Colorado) for 5-6 months out of the year. I wonder how she's getting along in Colo when I see such a decline. She's 83.
I find myself getting very anxious over this. Question: When she forgets and asks me again and again.....do I just answer as if it was the first time she asked, or do I ask her to "think about about it, didn't I just tell you that answer".

Welcome Janski.I was dx with Alzheimer's at age 57.8 years later I'm asking to be retested.Dr agreed as I was just doing too good.I was rediagnosed with Vascular Dementia,low bloodflow to the brain.I had 1 stroke 4 years ago,but with testing the Drs came up with why did this woman have a stroke? They found no reason why.The MRI showed a stroke It only affected my right eye for 36 hours.I was crosseyed as a Siamese cat,lol......No residual problems......
I had quit Vioxx the month before,can't prove it but that's what caused the stroke I believe.......Vioxx is no longer on the market.My hubby was on it for a long time he naver had a problem with it........
I still take Razadyne 16mg a day no problem with it either............been on it over 7 yrs i think,lol.
I have my days though...................
Getting your Mom diagnosed will be the best thing for both of you as the medications can & do help.
do it ASAP!!

Welcome Janski, as secondchild and Bunnys_grl have said, she really needs to be seen by a doctor knowlegable in the field of geriatrics. The sooner the better. There are many causes for dementia and there are different treatments. If for instance this is vascular she may be having TIAs (mini strokes)and this can often be treated with medication. If it is AD, the sooner she starts treatment, the longer she will retain what she has. It is even possible that she is taking a med that is not right for her.

Is she with you now? Do you know of a Doctor she could see in FL? I am guessing her doc and all her records are in Colorado. Do you visit there? This is really worrisome if your awareness of her condition is coming from phone conversations. You are probably pulling your hair out.

First step, get her in for a full geriatric evaluation. You also need to address legal issues, pronto. Do you or anyone have POA and DPOA for her? This is necessary if you or another is to be her advocate medically and financially. Actually it is good to get this done before any diagnosis of dementia, but certainly don't delay the medical issues.

Is there any family in her home area to help? I think the days of living alone are coming to an end. Time to think of options.

Read my posts. With my father it is believed his alcoholism caused much of his decline. All he has been diagnosed with is "dementia" which is a broad term that describes, loss of short term memory, confusion, difficulty with function (using the phone to change the channel) and following directions.
They put him on medications - aricept and namenda. In addition they put him on a drug called zyprexa which is also used for schizophrenia, for his delusions and violence.
He has done a lot of frightening things while trying to "go home". Like trying to climb the fence to escape. When I attempted to stop him he lashed out at me, physically attacking me.
It took about 6 months for the medications to take hold and now he has calmed down, but during that time he could never be left alone, it made him kind of a zombie. Now though, he is walking, reading and is able to use the remote appropriately.
He will never "get better" but he is comfortable and calm, no longer a zombie.
I suggest you try to get her to a dr. soon. The medications work to slow the decline. I agree she should not be alone anymore. She could hurt herself and noone would know. Getting lost in familiar surroundings is also common for those afflicted.
I live with my father and currently don't have a job. My siblings help with the load financially.
The hospital would not release my father unless they were sure he would be supervised. They wanted to put him in a home but that is a huge fear for him, so we took over his care.
It's tough, but we get through each day.
She will need help with her medications too. She cannot be expected to take them correctly. My father tells the dr's he's not on medications everytime we go for an appt. He is actually on 9 drugs total, including vitamin supplements and heart medications.
Once he even double dosed himself and almost died. I removed his meds from his home and took over administering them before we moved in together.
Sorry, I don't mean to scare you, but it is time to consider your options. Some decisions may need to be made for her.
Good luck.

Janski welcome in.
No you just answer her like she never asked the question dont remind her it serves no purpose.
If her deficits are actually this bad I wouldnt be leaving her to live on her own this is extremely dangerous. I dont even wanna think about what WILL happen if she is not monitored.
Has she been going to a doctor? Is she being treated?
And finally:
Has she been diagnosed?