Personality Changes early Dementia?

[Chenecinquantecinq]

Just wondering if anyone noticed personality change as an early symptom in parents? My DM is 78 has been forgetting words for a year or so now, addressed birthday cards to grandchildren in wrong (random) names. Last few months she’s particularly nasty to me, our relationship has always been a little fractious but as eldest daughter I’ve always been most involved in helping. She’s just downright nasty to me most days. She refuses to accept her memory or organisational skills are failing, if I point anything out she gets very angry and defensive and almost abusive. Is the general vitriol a sign of dementia? I’m struggling to think of another reason. She’s also nasty to my father and has had several minor car bumps over past year. Is this how it starts?

Yes, these are all possible signs, unfortunately.

It might well be time for your DM to give up driving. If you write to her GP explaining your concerns, hopefully s/he will call her in for a check-up.

I wouldn't point things out to her as she may be scared and frustrated. Yes it's common to have personality changes. My aunt was horrible, almost unrecognisable a few years before her diagnosis.

Your mum may have noticed cognitive decline and is taking her fear out on you. Dementia UK and the Alzheimer's Society both have really good helplines.

Sorry to say but unfortunately yes, what you are describing sounds how my Mum started showing signs. As previously suggested, it’s a good idea to write to her GP with your concerns. I did this and then took mum in for a ‘medication review’.

Yes. I noticed the personality change and the nastiness with my relative before I noticed the forgetfulness.

Yes, in our experience with FIL.

The 'minor bumps' in the car are also very concerning OP 💐

Please remember she's not acting this way out of intentional nastiness, it's memory loss, confusion and fear which is making her familiar world appear threatening and scary.

Hey there,
If it is the start of dementia or alzheimers, you may need to step in and make sure that they are coping. As people have mentioned, she may not be capable of driving anymore.
If you have the time take a look into Dr Mary Newport, her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers and she found that supplementing his diet with MCT oil (medium chain fatty acids) helped.
Here is a link if you are interested s
Best of luck.

Also bear in mind, if it is early stages of dementia, there are medicines available that can significantly reduce the symptoms such as Memantine and Donazepril (sp?), depending on the exact diagnosis. So it can be worth engaging with GP/memory clinic/community MH team.

Denial and being unable to recognise the problems are also common features of dementia, sadly.

Yes especially with the forgetting things.

She needs a memory clinic assessment and given the bumps in the car a serious talk about giving up driving.