Need basic help please with probable dementia

[Ammacca]

My MIL has one son my DH they don’t have the best relationship - contact infrequent all fairly formal.
She seems to think that women can help her but her son shouldn’t .
We’ve been alerted by some friends of hers that her memory is in steep decline and that she’s not eating very well - wasting food, unable to use the microwave and oven etc.
She still claims that she doesn’t need help from her son because all of these nice friends are doing it for her whereas actually the friends are saying to my DH he needs to be involved which he agrees with.
Any hints and tips on what we need to do in the weeks and months ahead - no POA of course she wouldn’t ever consider that or a will.
All help gratefully received

She needs to see the GP. There are many treatable causes of confusion and memory problems so they need to rule those out and then refer to the memory clinic for assessment. There are drugs that can slow/help the symptoms of dementia but I imagine getting her to admit to a problem and see a gp may be difficult.

Age U.K. have a lot of info and a helpline

www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/dementia-support/

www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/dementia/getting-care-and-support/

Thx v much had a quick scan of that earlier, will read again now we know it’s most likely a proper problem.
Think the POA is going to be tricky to get.
I think she’s also on the defensive because he’s involved - she said today why do you want to know this am I going to die? It’s as if she can’t comprehend why he needs to be involved when she has an army of friends and neighbours to help her

Arrange to take her to GP but also send GP a letter outlining information of concerns from friends in bullet points asking them to read before the appointment- as mum won't let you tell the GP whilst you're there

GP will want to screen with blood tests etc to see first if she has any vitamin deficiencies, imbalances or anything else medical going on, that might be causing memory loss