Does my mother--in-law have Alzheimers?

Question

My mother-in-law is about 56 years old. She has always been somewhat of a scatterbrain, but lately she seems to forget just about anything me or my husband tell her (i.e. our schedules for getting together, important events, etc.). I find myself constantly frustrated with her forgetfulness, and I'm starting to wonder if maybe this is the beginning of Alzheimers. Does anyone have any advice/comments on this behavior? Being an in-law, I feel I'm not in a place to suggest she seek a diagnosis from a Dr.

Answer 1

you should have her consult a doctor. But I saw a show on TV on memory and they said people start losing memory at around the 30s. Many people forget schedules. Some people just need to write things down more. Beyond if it doesn't injure anyone then nothing you can you if you don't say anything. Only a doctor can tell you or anyone if she has that disease.

Answer 2

It could be a depressive state. It could be anxiety. Whatever the diagnosis, she does need to seek expert help. Self medicating with something like St. John's Wort or one of the over the counter Gincoba type memory drugs can be something to consider if she does not have a general practitioner or is too shy to go. However, depression and anxiety are not to be ashamed of and the modern drugs like Paxil can really help someone like this. She could also have a hormone imbalance. She should be tested for all these things and a blood test would be a good start. Her thyroid may be underactive which could cause severe forgetfulness I know I've had that. If she was elderly I would suspect Alzheimer's or some related dementia but I really think it's probably one of the things mentioned above and she should get to the doctor and be diagnosed by a professional. Your being an inlaw does not constitute interfering - you are a loving relative who is genuinely concerned. You can be tactful in your approach of this subject by saying next time she forgets " oh boy, you know I have a friend who's thyroid was underactive and she forgot things all the time, but the thyroid medication really made a difference - do you know that about 60% of American women suffer with underactive thyroid". I don't know if that's an accurate number, but I have met a load of people with this condition, so without researching it I don't know the exact numbers. However, saying something like that would help you ease into suggesting a visit to the doctor. Also her child, your spouse, should be able to approach her more easily if you feel uncomfortable. Good luck!

Answer 3

Dementia is a terrible thing and a very hard thing to be confronted with. You are more likely to notice changes in the behaviour of you in-laws being slightly removed. Have you asked your husband if he has noticed? Have any of her friends?

Please look at the websites below, especially the symptoms. If reading these confirms your fears, then you need to find a way to talk to her. If you can approach it from the "I'm worried about you behaviour, are you stressed or is there something else going on?", then she may be more receptive. Give her the symptons, they may help her realise that she isn't going mad. And dementia is not madness.

Chances are that if she has the early stages, she knows there is something wrong. And that may mean you meet with relief or anger.

Please be encouraged that if you get an early diagnosis, you can serious slow down the symptoms with medcation and lead a very independant life for a long time.

Answer 4

AD begins slowly. At first, the only symptom may be mild forgetfulness, which can be confused with age-related memory change. Most people with mild forgetfulness do not have AD. In the early stage of AD, people may have trouble remembering recent events, activities, or the names of familiar people or things. They may not be able to solve simple math problems. Such difficulties may be a bother, but usually they are not serious enough to cause alarm.

The seven warning signs of Alzheimer's disease are:

1. Asking the same question over and over again.

2. Repeating the same story, word for word, again and again.

3. Forgetting how to cook, or how to make repairs, or how to play cards — activities that were previously done with ease and regularity.

4. Losing one's ability to pay bills or balance one's checkbook.

5. Getting lost in familiar surroundings, or misplacing household objects.

6. Neglecting to bathe, or wearing the same clothes over and over again, while insisting that they have taken a bath or that their clothes are still clean.

7. Relying on someone else, such as a spouse, to make decisions or answer questions they previously would have handled themselves.

*Reprinted with the permission of The Suncoast Gerontology Center, University of South Florida. Revised 9/01/99.

hope this is helpful

Answer 5

I'm 57 years old and I'm a visual learner so a lot of times people will tell me something I have to go immediately and write it down or I will forget. If I lost my calendar I wouldn't remember half of my families birthdays. Why don't you just jot her down a little note the next time instead of telling her about an important date. I do so wish I was an auditory learner so I could remember what people tell me. You can tell me your name ten times but until I see it written down I don't remember it.

Answer 6

It might be.

You might not be able to suggest that she get a check-up. But your husband is. Tell your concerns to him, and hope he will help.

Good luck.