Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
G
GeeGee2311 Asked May 10, 2024

Alzheimer’s or normal aging?

My mother is 75 and reports periods when she cannot articulate an idea or phrase a question. I don’t know if this is early sign of Alzheimer’s or just normal memory loss at her age.

JoAnn29 May 11, 2024
I am almost 75 and this is not normal. Have her see her PCP and have labs run. (Thyroid too. My NP left it out on my last labs and Thyroid problems run on Moms side of the family) The labs may find she has low potassium, is diabetic, etc. It could just be she is lacking somewhere.

Geaton777 May 11, 2024
Aphasia?

"Aphasia refers to difficulty expressing or understanding words due to brain damage."

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/dementia/aphasia-vs-dementia#:~:text=Dementia%20refers%20to%20several%20degenerative,the%20brain%2C%20including%20Alzheimer's%20disease.

...brain damage such as a from a stroke (like a TIA)

"Sometimes temporary episodes of aphasia can occur. These can be due to migraines, seizures or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when blood flow is temporarily blocked to an area of the brain. People who've had a are at an increased risk of having a stroke in the near future."

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aphasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20369518#

ADVERTISEMENT


Beatty May 10, 2024
Maybe normal but no harm in staying open to observation.

Close family will notice things before a short screening test by a Doctor.

Sometimes little things stack up.

Forgot to put water in the electric kettle. Normal.
Forgot if the electric kettle plugs in or goes on the stove. Problem.
Forgot to put the wet washing in the dryer. Normal.
Forgot how the dryer door opens.
Problem.
Forgot to buy bread. Normal.
Forgot how the toaster works. Problem.

lealonnie1 May 10, 2024
Here is a link to an excellent article from the Alzheimer's association talking about the top 10 warning signs of dementia to look out for:

https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/do-i-have-dementia/10-warning-signs-dementia

Best of luck.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter