Expert: Paula Damgaard - 11/19/2009

Question
What is wrong with my mom, is she getting dementia?
she can't remember anything. for example--

We went to AL last Thursday
I came back on Sunday because I had school Monday. I have a green blanket that I've had for many years that my grandma bought me for Christmas. She said she was going to wash it while she was there and bring it back when she comes (Today)
She called and asked if there was anything I wanted her to bring, and I was joking kind of and said to bring my green blanket. She got mad and said I BROUGHT YOUR BLANKET!! she kept yelling saying it was in the closet, it was there, it was here etc etc, and I was like no.. we didn't bring it.
So when she hung up the phone, she didn't hang it up correctly and so I could still hear her talking to my grandma, she said "I know damn well we brought that blanket and she is just being difficult!!"

I don't understand how she forgets things so much and so easily. She can't remember anything in day-to-day life, for instance she can't remember how to get to our house from my college, and she will get lost (get off of the wrong exit)
She overfeeds my fish because she insists they haven't been fed.
She has forgotten east, west, north and south. In Atlanta, GA, GA 400 goes north and south and we use 400 to get to the house from my school, she says "To get to your school I go north and to get home I go south" which is completely wrong, and many times she has ended up on I-85, 285 or I-75, and then we fight because she calls saying she is lost and I get frustrated having to direct her back.

My mom is 44 btw, so I don't know if it's possibly alzheimer's or dementia.. is she too young?

Answer
Hi Kayla, unfortunately, she is not to young.  But she could have something else going on as well.  She needs to be examined first by her doctor, given a thorough exam and then possibly a neurologist if the doctor can't find a reason for her problem.  The faster you do this the better!  

Early detection helps the medicines that are available work their best if it is Alzheimer's!  I hope she doesn't have it but not finding out is worse.  

Good luck and stop arguing with her!  If she does have it arguing isn't going to help, if she is lost make it a joke and guide her home.  Can you imagine how frightened she must feel to 1 be lost and then 2 having to call knowing she is going to get yelled at?  

Please let me know what you find out.  Paula