Dementia diagnosis

[Anonymous]

My mom is 82 yo. Her short term memory is spotty but mostly short. She still recognizes all her family, lives alone, drives only to familar places (church, grocery, etc.)

The plan is she'll live with my sis once she can no longer drive.
I guess my question is, is there any benefit to ask her dr for a formal dementia diagnosis?

She's not on any cognitive meds and mostly likely not go on, due to side effects with no significant benefits.

[Anonymous]

There are a few meds that can help.

[Anonymous]

Not really. There is no treatment. Especially at this age, it’s also more likely to be normal aging than anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a few meds that can help.

Such as? I thought most were 50/50 as to whether or not they work.

[Anonymous]

Imo medication just prolongs the length of time of dementia. So they can be in the late stage for 10 years instead of 5, for example, until the end of the road.

And don’t wait until diagnosis to help your mom. We made that mistake. Make plans asap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Imo medication just prolongs the length of time of dementia. So they can be in the late stage for 10 years instead of 5, for example, until the end of the road.

And don’t wait until diagnosis to help your mom. We made that mistake. Make plans asap.

To clarify, by plans, I mean make sure POA will , financials, etc are in order, start getting home ready for moving out, get your sister’s house ready (1st floor bedroom, hospital bed, rails, ramps).

And enjoy your mom while she still has her memory.

[Anonymous]

Not necessary Op. Imho. For reference I'm 65, one parent had alzheimers. DH and I have had four parents pass so we've done the journey.

I would take away the car. Since you have any worry at all, you're probably only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Does she have money? If money is no object, do not have her move in with your sister. That will be too much of a burden.