Expert: Paula Damgaard - 10/1/2006

Question
My father-in-law is constantly eating every second that he is awake. When preparing his next "snack", he acts like he doesn't remember that he just ate. Is this a symptom of alzheimers or dementia?  Can you please help.  Some of the family think that he knows perfectly well what he's doing.  Thanks for any assistance you can give.

Answer
Vicky, it may very well be a dementia.  I would suspect that is more of a frontaltemporal dementia, but seeing a qualified dementia specialist would answer that question.  People with dementia, no matter what the type, can act like "he knows perfectly well what he's doing" and that is the biggest problem for caregivers, especially the ones that live nearest!  They see the behaviours while the ones away only get a glimpse and most of the time all they see is the "good dad".  

So don't delay, have him seen as soon as possible so that if he does have a problem, you can get treatment sooner rather than later.  

Good luck.  Paula