Do all older people lose comprehension or do I have something to worry about here (thinking dementia).

[Currysoup]

I don't have experience of being around older people. My mother is early 70s. About 18 months ago, I observed some things that was happening from her. There was periods of no conversation from her even though I wasn't fighting with her. Just no talk or speech from her. Lasting for days at a time. It was so odd. There were episodes of pure anger from her that also made no sense. I remember one day wanting to get a saucepan from the cupboard and it was enough for her to explode and turn purple in rage - 'thus kitchen is big enough for two of us you fat cunt' or something on those lines. It was a complete overkill and over reaction for what was. Another day she forgot her pension card at the post office. She left it on the counter. I began to wonder if there was something happening with her. As time went on there was other little things. What I am noticing isn't really too problematic in that she's not forgetting where she lives or forgetting to turn off the gas. So there's nothing to worrisome as of yet. There's just little things.

If there was a funeral between the times of 2 to 7, she wants to be there at 2 as an example and not a minute later. Even though one could pop in sympathise at any time during those hours.
If we were watching a movie together, it was like we were watching two very difference movies. Her perception of it wasn't quite right.
I remember one TV programme she was looking forward to watching it. As soon as the ad break came on, she got up and went straight to bed as if it was over even though it wasn't over.

Something more recent. I have a niece who's 9 and she's wearing clothes for a teenage age 13 and 14. Recently I decided to take a gamble and buy a t-shirt for her in a women's size 8. All I got was critisism and anger from my mother about the child wearing a size 14. So in my mother's mind a child's age 14 translated to a woman's size 14.

Do all older people go like this where they lose comprehension or do I have something geniune like the possibility of a dementia to explore.

He memory seems to be reasonably ok. Lately I think she is forgetting to turn off the immersion and the hot water is often boiling and boiling and there's enough hot water for an army to come in and shower.

Less than 30% of adults develop dementia and that number is getting lower.

The symptoms you described could be dementia, but it’s also possible she’s depressed, has Cancer (the pain can cause mood changes prior to diagnosis), has vitamin B deficiency, or is just fed up of sharing her space with you. She needs to visit a GP to be certain.

No, not all older people do this. There could be a number of things going on though. Maybe she just is annoyed at you being there or maybe she is starting with dementia, but she could also be suffering from any number of treatable causes.

Pernicious Anaemia for example is common in old people, it causes memory issues among other things.
Some people with pernicious anemia may also become extremely irritable or depressed and, in some rare cases, even experience paranoia
A deficiency in B12 or folate may take months or years to become evident, and may lead to symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, diarrhea, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, sleeplessness, irritability, and mood swings.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when an overactive thyroid produces too many hormones. Symptoms can include panic attacks, anxiety, tension, sleep disturbances, mood swings, a short temper, and impatience
If you find that you are more irritable than usual, it could be a sign ofvitamin D deficiency. Without enough vitamin D, you may experience an increase in irritability and a decline in mood

If you can’t persuade her to speak to a GP then you talk to one about her, explain the issues, and ask that she’s called in for a health check and blood tests taken to exclude things like PA, vitamin D deficiency, thyroid issues, low folate etc

Why does your mother have to go to a post office to collect her pension? Does she not have a bank account for it to be paid into directly?

I chatted to her gp last year and she was invited for a check up and she did go however I don't know what the outcome of that appointment was.

She's nearly much and the same as what she was last year. There's definately a slowness with her or a waning comprehension that still exists to this day.

Yes, she doesn't have a bank account and it's paid at the post office.

So many things can cause issues - something as simple as a UTI can cause things to rapidly go down hill as can a lack of elements or vitamins or as someone else said anemia. I would get another health check up for her it can't really hurt

She definately isn't eating probably. She's not using the cooker any more and she's not cooking any meals. A typical diet would be:

• breakfast:

Weetabix with seeds and milk, toast and tea

afternoon
Tuna or egg with brown bread or a scone and butter and tea

Evening

Potatoes and baked beans

There's no variety with her meals any more.
I'm encouraging her to drink water and she's finally got it about the water but it took a long time and she was recently diagnosed with sinusitis and it was only the doctor telling her to drink more water, and she finally listened to it.

This sounds familiar, particularly the bit about the pension. Have you posted about this before?

So your mother is in her early seventies? No bank account? So, no credit or debit card? Which must presumably mean she can’t order or pay for anything online? Is she entirely limited to cash when paying for anything?

Is she ok? I mean living normally, with even a minimal number of friends and some social life?

Diet needs some attention - lack of protein bar the fish for a start, can you get her to add some cheese or yoghurt (full fat) in there, plus some fruit - maybe "fancy stuff" like strawberries and peaches would encourage her. Dehydration can def cause issues with confusion but also UTIs. Is she on medication - is she taking it, would a pill box help or getting it bubbled at the chemist (they should offer this but often dont - ie prepacked into daily doses with am pm and eve if necessary

re bank account and cards etc she is probably too late to "start all that" if there is a level of confusion or forgetfulness already. Mum was like this - she could "wave" a credit card but not remember the pin so she always needed company and we knew her pin if asked for it. If she is someone that was v reliant on her partner for the life admin as many older women were, then it will be a difficult thing to change

SHould say Mum would have been 77 this yr

Actually looking at that diet has she been tested for type 2? That can also cause confusion and memory issues and she has quite a high carb load there.