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Dementia and Alzheimer's

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Original poster

How would I go down the route of getting my mom investigated for dementia?

30 replies

SummersBreeze · 23/04/2022 16:00

My mom is nearly 70 and she's going senile. It's not showing as confusion or forgetfulness that you would associate with dementia. There is some mixing up of names and forgetting things but so far it's very mild and hardly noticable.

There's other things going on with her. It's all so hard to explain. Basically since the beginning of this year, I am pieceing together bits and pieces of her behaviours and I think dementia might be setting in with her. She's different every day. Some days she is better than others thank other days there's something up with her. It's hard to explain and pinpoint.

OP posts:

Original poster

SummersBreeze · 23/04/2022 20:40

LetitiaLeghorn · 23/04/2022 20:34

I'm not sure if this is dementia. It's difficult because everyone seems to have their own personal set if symptoms.
It's called the memory clinic and yes, most people are further down the road and written tests show up problems. Your mum might not have problems with that yet. But they also sometimes do head scans to check for causes and types of memory problems. That might be useful?
Your first stage is to chat with her but I wouldn't mention dementia or Alzheimers. Just mention bits of her change in behaviour. Be interested rather than accusatory and see if she can admit to anything.

Are there particular type of brain scans? Is it an MRI? Do they have to look for dementia in an MRI or does it show up in scans?

I was experiencing headaches like migraines and my GP referred me for an MRI scan. My mom experiences headaches like tension headaches and they can go on for days.

Would it work if I was to encourage her to go to her gp about them headaches and maybe her GP will refer her for an MRI too. Would dementia show up on an MRI. That would be one way.

OP posts:

Original poster

SummersBreeze · 23/04/2022 20:43

Isitcake · 23/04/2022 20:25

The GP won't talk to you about her. Only in a hypothetical way but not specific to her.

I would say something like "mum I have noticed you being a bit absent minded, I know in people over 70 this is often caused by a UTI, would you mind if I made you an appt with the doc to get it checked out"

That would get her through the door of the docs and start the conversation.

I know the GP will be bound by confidentiality and can't give me my mom's medical status. I'm not looking for her medical status. I would like to see if it's possible to explore the idea of dementia because there's something not quite right.

OP posts:

LetitiaLeghorn · 23/04/2022 20:48

Yes, I can see how it would be difficult to bring up her behaviour when it's all aimed at you. She'll think you're just getting at her.

Yes, it's an MRI scan. That would be a good way to move forward to look at her headaches. But the gp would need to inform them to look for signs of dementia. I'm not sure they'd just pick them out on their own. But they might.

LetitiaLeghorn · 23/04/2022 20:49

They'd certainly see if there was any areas of concern in her brain.

Plantstrees · 23/04/2022 20:53

Sometimes a minor stroke can also cause memory problems so a doctor can do tests to rule that out too. Headaches, high blood pressure and stroke may be linked so I think you should definitely mention the issues to her GP so they are aware. They can't discuss anything with you but at least if they know your concerns they may consider some tests?MRI for her.

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