This first started a couple years ago when I realized my mom was acting way different than my friends' moms. She talks like a four year old, even when she thinks people can't hear her, and she acts like it too. I honestly wouldn't mind, but she talks to my friends the same way too and it's embarrassing because people always point it out. Another thing that concerns me is she cannot control herself around food. She has multiple bags of candy hidden in her room that she eats on a daily basis. I usually wouldn't have made account here to post this but she also seems to have incredibly early onset of dementia or Alzheimer's. She asks me the same questions multiple times throughout the day and is incredibly forgetful, but she didn't used to be like this.
Your mother didn't used to be like this, but now she is. She used to be fine but now she's not fine anymore.
See if you can get her to the doctor for a physical. I don't know how old you are? If you have access to her medical portal, write an email to her doctor and let him or her know how mom is acting and give a head's up before mom goes in to the office for the exam. That could be helpful for the doctor to know what's going on in advance of seeing her in person.
Best of luck.
1. Incredibly forgetful
2. Asks same questions over and over
3. Acts and talks like a 4 yr old
4. Hoards bags of candy in her room.
You hand the paper to the receptionist and ask if the Doctor can read it before the appt. This way he can ask her the appropriate questions. If he confirms Mom has a Dementia then ask for a referral to a Neurologist. A Neurologist can determine what type of Dementia Mom has. This is important because of medications she may need to use.
Then take Mom in for a 'check up'.
Doctor will probably want to take reugar bloods, BP, cholesterol etc if no checkup for a while. Diabetes? check sugar levels. Rule things out.
Asking the same questions over & over could be memory, but also anxiety or other reasons. The Doctor can do mood & memory screenings tests.
Take note if she uses 'baby voice' with the Doctor. Or with others in the community eg shop staff? Or is it just with you & your friends? When she wants something done for her?
I have met women who play 'cute & helpless' for attention & to get things done for them.
Not saying this is her, but see when the 'baby voice' is used (if not all the time).
What has her Geriatric Psychiatrist recommended for treatment and placement?
What course of action has your personal therapist recommended for you?
You will need to manage your own embarrassment. If you understand what is behind her behavior, you will be able to choose to feel compassion for her.
You do not mention your mother's age; where she lives (with you?), your age, medical condition besides 'seems to have...'
Gena Galenski
Touch Matters
So, I would start there with making an appointment ASAP with her PCP and accompany her to the appt. You may want to inform the PCP ahead of time about these behaviors and observations. Has your mother had a " mini -mental" or other professional assessment for her cognitive status ? If not, I would ask for that if they do not volunteer to order it. If the PCP is already aware of this , then still pursue with them options for her care and your self care. This most likely will only decline and at what rate no one knows for sure. Be sure you have POA status in place for medical and legal decisions. Begin sooner rather than later to educate yourself about placement options and in home care so you will know your options going forward. There are significant safety issues already presenting in what you have written. It is not clear from your note if she has been formerly diagnosed with dementia and/ what type of dementia. There is always the possibility that she could have other neurological problems and, may need a referral from PCP to a neurologist for further assessment and diagnosis and treatment/care options.
Please do find some ways to take care of yourself !!! Caregiver burnout is a real diagnosis also and, comes on very quickly.....
Peace.
See All Answers