To worry about her memory?

[Islandsspa]

Lately I’ve been a bit worried about my mum (50s) who has been muddling some words up and seems a bit more distracted. I hope someone can tell me kindly that I’m worrying irrationally and that everyone does this.

We were in the supermarket and she wanted to pick up some Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and instead called it Uncle Ben’s.

Separate occasion, we were talking about bread and she mentioned she’d tried some soda bread recently and liked it. She meant sourdough. I asked her if this was what she meant and she said, oh yeah is that what I said? Silly me!

There’s been a couple more examples but these are just the ones that come to mind. She often misplaces phone and can’t remember where she put it.

No issues with long term memory that I’ve noticed at all, and I don’t think she is worried about her own mixing up of words.

She does work long hours and her job is demanding. Does this sound quite typical to you? I’m worried about it being any possible signs of dementia and would appreciate input from people who know a lot more about it than me.

You're not irrational to be concerned if there's been a change in her behaviour and this isn't something that's normal for her. However, dementia is a big leap, and very very rare at her age.

It could just be as you say that she works long hours in a demanding job, and as people age, it gets harder to juggle all of these things. She might be tired which could be having an impact on her concentration.

Is she concerned about it or has she mentioned/noticed it at all? How long have you been worried for?

Could be the menopause?

Menopause does this to you. However keep an eye if it gets worse.

Also worth considering that at her age, she might be menopausal, which can have an impact on concentration and memory. Do you know if this might be the case?

There's lots of information about it.

She has already been through the menopause, well her periods stopped easily at least 5 years ago because I remember talking to her about it then. Does menopausal brain fog last?

Yes it does, I think. I went through a rapid, surgical menopause over 10 years ago, but have recently had those same type of confusions over names and other words.

Generally speaking the things that are more of concern for dementia would be a noticable personality change or a lack of ability to perform tasks that never posed a problem, eg using a kettle or an oven.
I'm in my 50s like your mum. I also work in a demanding job and notice that I muddle words on occasion. Like others have said, this is not uncommon as we age.

My periods stopped 5 years ago, head like a sieve.

My mum has had dementia for over 20 years so I've a good idea what to look for, mixing word and being forgetful doesn't worry me unduly.

As a previous poster said does you mum carry out routine tasks without issue?
For example I can whip up an old favourite recipe with my eyes closed, might forget to switch the oven on or go into a cupboard and forget what I'm looking for but to be fair I've been a little like that all my life.

I'm also overwhelmed with two businesses, ill health, aged parents, not yet independent children and a farm to run, could your mum have similar stresses?

I was like that going through the menopause. I never slept well when symptoms were particularly bad. I felt very childlike when I was trying to remember things. I was 50 yrs old when it all started. I am fine now and as sharp as ever.
Hope that helps!

I'm the same. HRT has really helped. Testosterone in particular.

@stayathomegardener wow you have a lot on 😔💐

Most likely linked to her age and menopausal brain fog as other have said….

BUT

As someone whose mum had early onset Alzheimer’s in her 50s, keep an eye on it, it’s not common but it does happen.

I’m in my 50s and menopausal myself so you can imagine the headfuck that this can be at times!

This is me to be honest. The Uncle Ben's thing is definitely something I'd say. I often do. Its become a running joke with my kids now, because I've come out with some right howlers! I've been like this since turning 40 (5 years ago)
For me, I think it's a combination of tiredness, having a hundred things on my mind and possibly hormones too.
My nan was the same, so much so that we as a family still use some of the names she got wrong 25 years later, and she never got dementia.

You can get a memory assessment from your GP. They will do a basic one and refer if a more detailed one is required.

I am in my 50s and forever do silly things like she has. One of my major issues is names. Barry, might be Brian. See what I did there....always seems to be a pattern to my error, but wrong all the same.

My elderly Dad can't recall names but can describe. So rice is "those white bits", a guy he knows called Les is "the grumpy one"...I find it strange that he can describe but not recall the name! He is under memory assessment now, but he is in his 80s. He gets the story right always but getting words out he finds difficult.

I get this due to low B12 when my next injection is due, I cannot remember the words for things, I called a magpie a penguin (black and white bird) etc

Thanks everyone, really reassuring so far

And the examples you've used are easy mistakes to make, soda bread is a thing and I can see how she has mistaken uncle Ben's and Ben and Jerry's.

Oh gosh.. I've been doing this for years and still do.. I'm 65( definitely no dementia).. l had medically menopause age 38.. after hysterectomy.. HRT for 10 years.. . Mine definitely isn't causes by the menopause.. l do have Fibromyalgia so get brain fog.. but mostly its just age