Expert: Michalene Peticca - 12/19/2008

Question
hi i wonder if you can help me with sum questions regarding my mums condition.my mum was diagnosed of having alzheimers in 2007.upto now everything has  been ok with herself,until recently in the last 2weeks were she has been feeling unwell&complaining of headaches.my mum has been going 2bed in the afternoons&getting up for her tea.she will stay up after tea till about 9oclock.then she retires to bed.she wakes up every morning at 6.since the last 2weeks she has stopped going to activity centres  in which she used to very much enjoy.she always used to walk on her own to the doctors.today she was supposed to have her hair done at the hairdressers.she forgot were to go&came back home.this is unlike my mum.she is on the highest doses of medication&cannot be perscribed any more

Answer
Hello Simon,

thank you for writing.  It sounds like you have a very good relationship with your mother and care about her.

As you may already know, Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, brain disease.  Changes will occur over time with memory, personality, as well as other overall functioning.

Any definitive and dramatic changes should be consulted with your mom's physician and/or neurologist.   This may be a sign of something other than the "standard" Alzheimer's progression.  

Perhaps you can go with her and help explain some of these recent changes.  

Thanks for being concerned!

Best Regards,
Michalene Peticca, MA