Hello, I am just concerned for a family member. She is a 73 yr old lady, I have noticed this past yr, she stammers over some words and sounds. Repeats things every so often, even after a few mins. Last night she even could not get the word Cat out. She forgot how to say it and was putting the letter R in Cat and kept saying crat, over and over. She has been getting dizzy and off balance once in awhile too. Too add, probably about a month ago, she told me, she was alerted by her partners daughter that she called him 3am in the morning and she had no memory of this.Other wise, she seems to be ok with every other life activity. I don't want to say anthing as of yet, just don't want to stir the pot. Thank you in advance for the help.
No she hasn't had a stroke but she has had rough years of broken bones. She does go in for fusions, I assume they are called for severe pain in her back. But I will take all of your advice and gently bring this up in a conversation, tactfully without referring this to her.
I would encourage a physical and mental work up as this could have been a minor stroke or progressing health issue that should be examined especially since you say you've noticed changes over the last year.
I've read on this website here that UTI [urinary tract infection] in an older person can cause some strange symptoms.
If not, I think I would tell her partner or his/her daughter, or perhaps you could, take her for some thorough medical checkups fairly soon... like right away.
You wouldn't necessarily be "stirring the pot" - think of it as being proactive in addressing potential health problems.