To be concerned DM last marbles at 60

Does your mum have any hobbies or belong to any groups ? Meet up with friends ? I'm a similar age to your mum and I retired last year and I do think it's important to keep yourself occupied, including learning something new or meeting new people etc

FWIW I hate driving and only drive locally and don't do much cooking either - so by themselves I don't think they are red flags - unless of course they are things your mum previously loved doing - in which case the loss of enjoyment of previous hobbies can be a worry - an early sign of dementia but also of depression .

Plus, it's Britain and our transport network is based on a zig-zag pattern!
There are some great big bollocking hills to get round sometimes, so none of this 'as the crow flies' business 😁

OP, it sounds as though this is really out of character. Do you feel able to raise your concerns with DM - perhaps she's struggling with life a bit and may appreciate you bringing it up?
If I'm feeling flat and anxious, sometimes it's hard to start the conversation. Often though, I'm really grateful my loved ones raised the topic, as I'd been in 'getting on with it (badly!)' mode and ignoring the fact I needed help.

Can you help your DM to see her GP? She must be quite distressed to be losing so much of her independence and abilities. This is not normal aging and she will know that too.

My first thoughts were menopause related

Some of what you describe could be normal and explained away as a result of a big change in routine (retirement) common medical issues, (e.g. thyroid, ending HRT if applicable, depression) or generally ageing. Things like being tired and not coping with grandchildren, for example. I'm in my 40s and I'm knackered even on holiday and children are exhausting if you're not used to dealing with them anymore.

However, some of what you describe is quite concerning, especially as your mum is only 60 - not 90.

The getting lost on public transport and suddenly stopping or changing things she'd do routinely (e.g. cooking, driving, using the internet for booking stuff) is worry.

It doesn't mean she has dementia - like I say there could be all sorts of things going on. Does she live alone or with someone? If she's living with someone perhaps being with them or caring for their needs is incredibly overwhelming.

However I do think you should talk to her about your concerns. She may well suspect something is up. Something as simple as some thyroid medication or B vitamin injections may be all she needs, or indeed some social prescribing. However, if there's anything going on (mental, physical) then identifying it and dealing with it sooner rather than later is always a good idea.

OP has she had a late menopause? That could be a factor.

I agree, all my friends turning 60 at the moment, none of us are like this. I still have teenagers! . . When I felt like that I had a thyroid disorder so your Mum should get that checked and bloods generally (eg iron levels).

Not normal at all
I would absolutely be worried about early onset dementia but depression can mimic this so also worth considering.

She really needs to see her GP in the first instance. Ask if you can either go with her to express your concerns or if you can call the GP or write a letter.

YANBU to be concerned, this is not normal unless she has recently experienced a close bereavement. You will need to encourage her to see her GP and take it from there. Perhaps you can go with her to give a fuller picture?

edited to correct spelling

Once people stop doing things, it can be hard to regain the confidence to do them. My mother wouldn't have been able to take 5 trains at 60. She never paid a bill in her life and chose not to develop/ maintain skills.

Not normal, or I've only a couple of good years left ! I hope she's OK but would definitely recommend a doctor visit . Take care

Covid has caused a lot of stress and brain fog too

5 trains seems horrendous. See if there is a simpler way to get to you.

Not everyone lives in a city or town which has good transport links.
See my previous post.

DH is almost 60 - he is not like this at all and still regularly travels for work . I think DM needs to see the GP sorry OP

My MIL was like this at 60 and it was early dementia. I think your mum should see a doctor.

Thar seems unusual at age 60.
However your post mixes a lot of things. I lost confidence with driving and now only drive locally.
5 trains seems horrendous. See if there is a simpler way to get to you.
I would make appt with GP. If it's early dementia, there are things now that can slow it down

Yep. It shows that most of the people astonished at 5 trains either drive everywhere or have a limited are that they travel in. It takes me a bus, walk, train another bus and another train just to get to the closest decent sized town.

I live just outside the M25 and if I go by public transport to visit a friend in Sussex that’s 4 trains - so doesn’t have to mean we’re in remote locations, it depends on train lines. Though obviously driving is far easier - without a car many places are a bit of a faff to get from a to b even if not that far apart.

I live in a very rural area.
To visit my children, I have to take two buses to get to Glasgow, then a train to London, then two tube trains to one of their houses.
Not everyone lives in a city.
I live in a little Scottish village.

Although different in some of the ‘symptoms’ I could have written the same thing. I find it really distressing to find my mum acting very aged when she’s still relatively young.
There’s some things I’ve wondered if I could speak to her GP about as I’m concerned it could be medication related - is your mum taking any medication?

This ^

I will be 60 in Spring.
Suffer depression anyway but I have noticed I forget words for things randomly, more often than not these days.

The other week I couldn't, for the life of Me, remember the name for garden shears.
Honestly blank

The other things though, I cannot relate to those.

This was me at 61. I lost my brother to early onset Alzheimers and thought I had the same. To add to the total fatigue, mental confusion and forgetfulness (ie I would struggle to think of DH's first name) I also became even clumsier than usual (two pretty bad falls) and had joint pain and tingling in hands and feet. I became very nervous about driving - and I have to drive a lot for work.

Long story short, the GP did some blood tests which came back pretty poor (she seemed most concerned about lack of B12 and ferritin) to the extent she suspected a bleeding tumour. I felt better on supplements but the bloods were still bad. Several tests later I was diagnosed with coeliac disease. Almost a year gluten free and I'm back to what I was - loads of energy, the pains and tingling have gone. I'm working 50 hours a week, loving my job and feel great.

I have a fantastic GP and if it hadn't been for her I think I would have given up on life. I had energy for nothing and that's a bit of a downward spiral. Encourage your mum to see a doctor.

A lot of what you describe could be menopause symptoms. Some women have very severe symptoms and maybe your mum is one of them.

@Pinkchickglitterpants this is not normal for a 60 year old! I am 70 and dont have any of those problems. still driving all over, even down to leeds etc from scotland. I would recommend a visit to the doc. flying down to london for visits and shopping. really, she is not even retiral age. does she live alone or does she live with a partner/hubby?