Expert: Paula Damgaard - 7/25/2006

Question
hi there somthing that you might be able to help me with i might think that my dad has alzheimer,s since my mother died ayear and a half ago and a bit before he have been getting really absent minded he have been for getting to eat even tho his dinner gets deliverd to him he have he have been forgetting to wash his clothes and when he went wash his his glass the other day in the kitchen he went in to the bath room to do it but he sead he didnt but i was watching him latley he have been going over to an auntie of mine early in the morning when she asked him if his dinner have been he sits there very confused and sead that he dont now so she had to phone me for me to go and have a look and a other thing if he is sitting in the house he will play with his hand and flick a lighter and giggles to him self expecaly when i take him out on a sunday and monday he just giggles all the time do you think i am right in thinking he as alzheimer,s becase his dad had it or do you think it could be the amount of alcahol that he drinks he drinks on avrige 8 cans of beer a night exsept when i take him out on the weekend then he as at least 5 pints plus what he as when he comes home i have tryed have a word with him but he gets realy angry please help i dont now what ealse to do thank you david  

Answer
David, your dad may have Alzheimer's disease, but he could also be really depressed.  The alchol is definitely not helping.  He needs to be taken to a doctor who specializes in Alzheimer's disease or memory problems.  He needs to have a complete physical and a full battery of neuropsych testing so that they can find out what is going on with him.  

Don't just assume he has Alzheimer's disease, there are over 75 different reasons for someone to act demented.  Many can be corrected if caught early enough.  So do it quickly.  Good luck Paula