Elderly mother getting dementia?

[spandiswoman]

Hello, my 87 year old mother is very forgetful and has anxiety but recently has started doing this: example, a man in the cafe we were in dropped a plate and it broke. My mother stated "Oh he did that last week". I knocked over a stack of reading glasses when with her in the supermarket and she stated "You did that last week" This is now every time something out of the normal happens. She recognises people we have never seen before. Is this a sign of general decline or dementia? Has anyone experienced this with an old person before?

Bless her. Could be dementia or she could just have an underlying infection which can cause similar symptoms.
Could you get her to visit the GP with you to investigate further.

I agree with starting at the GP. It could be a number of things- some of which are treatable and not dementia. UTI's are common in older people and can send them completely off.

I live in the UK but my mum is abroad- similar health system. Family members had concerns about mum repeating herself. I went with her to the GP who did multiple tests, including syphilis, thyroid, looked for anaemia, UTI etc. She was referred to a geriatrician and everything was normal! I'm not saying your mum is the same, but some things are treatable.

IF your mum is reluctant to see the GP, I'd speak to the practice manager at her surgery. Raise your concerns and ask if they could book a 'routine' type check up for your mum- then go with her. Best of luck OP x.

Thank you both for your help and sound advice, will contact GP who knows that I have power of attorney. She did used to suffer a lot with UTI's when younger. In the summer we thought she was dying as she was so pale and unresponsive, took her to A&E and after 10 hours of waiting she seemed to get better and better while I was drooping! But that's the body not the brain. Thanks again.