Alzheimers?

[bobstersmum]

My mum is 73 and has recently been telling me she is worried about alzheimers. For example she has told me that she regularly loses her phone in the house, texts the wrong person, has forgotten to take hearing aid out at bedtime, only minor things like this.
This next bit is probably going to get me flamed, but my mum has always been a trouble maker, and very nosey. Recently I caught her rooting through my handbag and looking in my phone when she thought I had popped out (in her house) so we had a fall out as I told her she was out of order and my things are private. It is since then that she has been mentioning alzheimers and her little mishaps. Obviously it is possible that she could be suffering with declining mental health, but I am not sure if she is saying these things to just get attention and so that I will forget about her going through my things.
Can anyone with experience please tell me what I should do, if my mum is not well then I want to help her but I want to be sure she is not being dishonest.

[HoleyCoMoley]

[bobstersmum]

She said when I saw her in my things , oh I thought I heard your phone go, but I was stood at the door watching her for five minutes so I knew she was lying. I will keep an eye on her!

[HoleyCoMoley]

See how it goes, it may well stop now. I lose my phone, I have to ring my dh phone to see where he has left it and leaving a hearing aid in isn't that uncommon, I have often lost my glasses even though they are sitting on top of my head and forget what I went into a room to do. Sometimes it's just because we have a lot on our mind but I think her response suggests she isn't that worried by it. I suspect she would have to have pretty advanced dementia to think your bag and phone belonged to her, what reason did she give for going through your things. If she is worried and she thinks she is getting worse then the g.p. Is the best person to speak to, sooner rather than later.

[bobstersmum]

Thank you. I didn't know if it may come across as me being dismissive. It's just strange that she's only mentioned these things since being caught out, it's a terrible thing to pretend if she is making it up. I have told her to make a gp appointment and her response was, if it gets any worse I will.

[Onthebrink87]

It's very difficult to say because dementia presents in so many different ways in it's early stages. Encourage her to get to her gp asap so she can be referred for assessment. The earlier you catch it the better as there are some medications available to slow progression but only work of you start taking them early enough. Sorry it's not much help with your particular situation but didn't want to read and run

[HoleyCoMoley]

It could be that she is just making an excuse for going through your things, she knew that was not her bag or phone. If she has serious concerns about her memory then she can see her g.p for a memory and dementia assessment. No one is going to flame you, some people are very nosey and think its okay to go through other peoples property.