Cognitive Decline. Stage of Dementia?

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cover9339 Asked December 26, 2023

Cognitive Decline. Stage of Dementia?

Maybe a few of you could help with this, but I'm wondering the cognitive decline and/or stage of dementia my roommate may have.

He remembers the names and faces of his family members and the faces, maybe not the names of the employees at the facility.
But, his short term memory may be gone

To wit, he likes Little Debbie Nutty Bars. I bought him 2 boxes and even mentioned they were from me. The next day he sees the bars and mentions where they came from and who may have bought them ( even thinking his brother since his brother knows he likes them as well).

He came back from the hospital after having several seizures in a row, but this memory issue started before that; just hoping ,if he has Dementia, if it is not in the middle stages

Thanks.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Cognitive Decline Memory Loss

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score 0 · Answer 1

His seizures maybe causing this problem. My grandson used to have grand mal seizures from Epilepsy. He forgot what happened the day before and sometimes the day after. He could be having absent seizures. Thats when he is just staring off in space. It can be just for a few seconds or minutes.

I would mention anything you notice and maybe the time of day. My grandson usually had a seizure when napping. He would suddenly sit up and have a seizure.

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score 0 · Answer 2

Wow, without a full workup I can't imagine how you could ever know this, Cover.
You have some time on your hands. Why not look up for us what constitutes the various stages in dementia and let us know where you find it. I think it just must be out there on the internet waiting for us.

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@Alvadeer

Pardon me, I should have mentioned he is my roommate 🙂, so I see (and hear) first hand.

Yes I did look it up, before posting this thread/question.

As I mentioned and to give more information he still remembers both his brothers when either one comes to pick him up, as well as some staff, but the times to go smoking and the aforementioned nutty buddy bars he usually forgets. He also has started hoarding around his bed on and the bedside table, but not the floor.

This thread is really to try to help him.

Oh yes, it is hard most of the time not to say "don't you remember," a phrase that is advised not to say to a person who may have cognitive decline.

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score 0 · Answer 3

I hate to say it but...Unless you are able to make health care decisions for this person all you can do is express your concerns to his family or medical staff. (they in turn can not discuss his medical status with you unless you are named on HIPAA forms) It might be helpful if you do document occasions that you have noticed a change or a problem.
I think my Husband also had Vascular Dementia and I would notice a marked decline on occasion and I suspect that it was each of these times that he may have had a mini stroke that brought on the decline.
I would think if you are noticing problems then staff has as well,.

This did bring a smile to my face as my Husband also LOVED Nutty Buddy Bars. (he was on a mission to get some on one of the occasions he "escaped")

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@Grandma1954.

Thank You as well. His family may know. He's trying to get discharged, but sadly, he couldn't live on his own. He's only in his late 50s

Lol thanks for the story about your husband. Yes, he also loves Nutty Buddy's ( I got him a big box today, anonymously). He is so happy.

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score 0 · Answer 4

Sometimes just being in the hospital can cause hospital delirium and it can take several days maybe weeks or even months to fully recover.
He may have been confused at the time he received the treats and even though he may get better mentally, remain confused about the circumstances that occurred on those days.
Here is a link to an article from a very good source.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15252-delirium

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