Alzheimers?

Re: Tinnitus
People with tinnitus sometimes have low levels of zinc in their blood. Low zinc levels can also cause a loss of the sense of smell.

About half of people with tinnitus find some relief with zinc supplementation. Your dad might want to ask his doctor about it. I don't think zinc can hurt you unless you take a whole lot of it.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12544035

If his doctor doesn't know about zinc levels (they don't do a deep dive into nutrition in medical school)- he might want to consult a naturopath.

Thanks lealonnie1! I finally got him to agree to scheduling another dr. apptmt--2 months from now is the soonest we could get, sigh--for a complete physical. Keep your hopes up for me that he doesn't cancel this one too.

Here's a list of the top 10 signs of early Alzheimer's. Only a checkup and tests can prove it though, as you already know:

Top 10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Although Alzheimer’s impacts everyone differently, the disease does show some early signs and symptoms. Here’s a list of the top 10 early signs of Alzheimer’s that may indicate the disease is present:
1. Difficulty remembering things that just happened.
Forgetting dates or events; repeatedly asking for the same information and relying more and more on family members or reminder notes to handle daily tasks.
2. Inability to plan or solve problems.
Struggling to track monthly bills or solve simple math problems. Taking longer to do these things may be another sign.
3. Losing track of dates, seasons and time.
If it isn’t happening right now, Alzheimer’s sufferers may not understand it. Forgetting where they are and how they got there are also common symptoms.
4. Misplacing things.
Putting items in unusual places; struggling to retrace steps to look for a lost item and, in some cases, accusing others of stealing.
5. Mood and personality changes.
Alzheimer’s can produce anxiety, confusion, depression or suspicion. It can make people become upset much more easily, especially when they’re away from home.
6. Poor decision-making.
Having poor judgment with money or frivolously giving it away. Some people with Alzheimer’s may stop grooming habits or keeping themselves clean.
7. Struggling with conversations.
Challenges with vocabulary, such as calling things by the wrong name, inability to follow or join a conversation and repeating the same stories.
8. Trouble completing familiar tasks.
Trouble driving to a familiar place, forgetting how to cook a simple meal or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
9. Vision problems.
Having difficulty identifying colors or contrasts, judging distance or reading. Poor driving may result.
10. Withdrawal from social or work activities.
Failing to complete work assignments, giving up hobbies or avoiding social situations.

Loss of sense of smell is also associated with a much higher risk of a person getting Alzheimer's or dementia down the road.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Thanks, I keep trying to get him in for a checkup but he's cancelled the aptmts. a couple of times; says he's sick of going to the dr. I'm going to try hard, though, because now the fender-benders are starting to happen, no other cars involved yet, parking mishaps only so far. It's hard tho; he's very strong-willed--and I thought the 5 elderly parents I had to care for some years back were strong-willed; I had no idea--and we have no grown kids who can help me with this. He does have a younger brother who is about the only one he'll listen to, but now that brother has been diagnosed with fast-acting, terminal cancer so he's up to his eyeballs on getting affairs in order, etc. So I'm on my own with this.

He needs a complete physical. The one thing that makes seniors' behavior change (and seemingly should have nothing to do with it) is a urinary tract infection. When my mother gets more confused, or crankier, it's always a UTI. A course of antibiotics, and she's back to her normal state of dementia.

Since I assume he hasn't been diagnosed with any cognitive issues yet, get him in for a complete physical. Taking the leap to Alzheimer's is a bit much with no actual diagnosis.

It's really difficult to say what is causing issues with a senior. I would be concerned about them if they are unreasonably irritable and acting odd. Supposedly, we are to report any change in mental status to the doctor with seniors. Has he had a check up lately? Has the doctor done a mini office exam? I might write down all the things you have observed and let doctor know. They can evaluate and refer him to a neurologist if necessary. When my dad turned 80 they gave him an office eval and an MRI. He had has some weakness in his legs and poor balance. The MRI looked good and his eval was good too, but, they have a baseline now if he has issues down the road. Your LO might need an ENT doctor to evaluate.