DOes this sound like dementia, or something else?

My DM is only 63 years old. Last March she left her job of 30 years after it becoming too stressful for her and her not getting fully along with her boss. She was happy to finish. Not long before this, her weight had already started decreasing rapidly and has continued to do so. She is now quite frail looking, whereas she was a very round size 16 in my wedding photos of 2013.

The confused episodes started around the same time, possibly even before.

She is constantly looking for her phone and keys. She doesn't know how to use phone, never responds to texts anymore so people have stopped texting her. We tried and tried to teach her how to fasten our toddler into a car seat, it was impossible so we just gave up. That was a while ago and she has since given up on driving. Her driving became shocking really - stopping to give way in the middle of busy roundabouts, moving lanes on the motorway without signalling or realising she was swaying from lane to lane. It was terrifying.

She has become so quite and reserved - always been a quiet shy person though but she has retreated so much. When I bring my DS to their house, she shows very little interest in him and talks to him like he is a grown up sometimes (he is 2.5). Her days consist of getting up around 9, having a bath when she gets round to it, then sitting at home waiting for my dad to finish work. She has stopped cooking and only does very occassional housework - ie washing dishes and leaving them to dry. She doesn't touch the hoover, dishwasher or clean the fridge. My dad is still working full time, he is doing everything for her right now.

She seems to get into accidents frequently. Falling over, tripping up, walking into things.

She makes strange statements that I can't figure out - here is an example. She was at my house, it was around 7pm and we were about to say goodbye and I was about to take DS up for a bath. She started asking me if I would fix him in the car seat as she wouldnt be able to do it. I explained to her that DS was staying her and about to have a bath. She took a minute to understand and couldnt understand why she had assumed he was going home with her. This is happening more and more frequently now.

It's taken a while for them to go to see a doctor. They at first said she was fine!!! Then a second visit with my aunt and dad together, my dear aunt politely explained to GP that something wasn't right and she has been referred for a chest x-ray and MRI brain scan. Her chest x-ray is on Thursday.

I'm starting to think this may not even be dementia-related at all. My aunt has said they may suspect a brain tumour of some kind. Has anyone had any experience with this. Are these symptoms typical for someone with early dementia? Or a tumour?

We are so worried about her. She is too young for all this. I should add that she hasn't had a particularly healthy life - she's never done a days exercise in her life, hates walking, doesnt eat very well, and drinks every day. I think the booze gives her some confidence, which she doesnt normally have.

any insight would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.