Back story: December 15th of 2024, my grandpa died from a bad fall. My grandma had Alzheimer’s, and they were both deaf. We think my Grandpa was covering for her with how bad the Alzheimer’s truly was, but after he passed we realized she couldn’t be alone. I moved in with my parents after getting out of bad relationship & we moved to a home very close to my aunt. My aunt & mom are the only 2 children. My mom is an RN but ended up quitting her job after we moved here bc caring for my grandma was a lot more work than anticipated, and we expected my aunt to have her 50% of the time. Apparently nobody ever voiced those expectations bc after moving here, my aunt just never offered to take my grandma so she was just our responsibility.
That’s not even what’s this is about. Just back story. I think my mom has some sort of early onset. She is 56. She forgets atleast 50% of what I tell her. She used to be so good at like trivia, pop culture, etc. She can’t remember stuff like that. After my grandpa died she got really depressed. Hasn’t really been normal since, but I notice her repeating stories to me frequently and not remembering things i tell her. I asked if she feels herself forgetting a lot and she told me yes but that it’s been a hard year and life changing year and that’s what she thinks it is. I can’t help but feel it’s more.
Those with loved ones with early onset, what were the first signs? Am I being paranoid? She did have the hardest year of her life. Lost a parent, sold her home of 20 yrs, uprooted her life to take care of her mom which is HARD. Is no longer practicing nursing, idk. I don’t wanna make excuses for her. I can’t lose her. She’s my best friend…
She had a very very bad year. It could be burning out and exhaustion. There are tests more suitable for dementia. My mother’s first signs were behaving out of character and actually not realizing that something is wrong, so I would really like to offer you some hope. But, it is very important for her to take care of herself. To treat depression and anxiety, if present. Also to treat insomnia if it is present. To take care of her health so to reduce risk factors… I really hope everything will be ok. For now, I think you actually need to find and think of a solution for caregiving for your grandmother….
I say to hell with the diagnosis. Nothing is going to change because the specialist runs tests & comes back with a result you dread. I am still in denial, and it's been over a year. I still look for my mother in the stranger in front of me. What's brutal in her case is she has moments of acute clarity. She can recall the tiniest of details one moment, and draw a blank the very next. I know she's fading away, bit by bit every day, and I am trying hard to hold on. It feels hopeless at times. I say enjoy every remaining moment with her.
Please see a neuropsychologist for testing. They can do a full evaluation that can differentiate dementia and depression to provide you answers and best treatment course.