Is It Common For Elderly With Dementia To Get "Pieces" Of Their Memory Back?

Question

Recently my 93 year old grandmother was admitted into a home due to dementia and that she needs constant supervision. Before she was admitted she had lost most of her memory, not knowing names, dates, where she lived, what was on television, night from day etc...

Most of the day she just sat in the living room watching tv and eating snacks but sometimes she would get these memory spells. When she was in her 50s-80s she would always go to the church for Bingo and that stopped when the church discontinued it. So for about 10 years she never mentioned Bingo nights or remembered she even went. Out of the blue she would start screaming "Today's Friday, I have to get to Bingo. It's at 8pm!!" when it wasn't Friday or around the evening.

She would remember bits and pieces very rarely but most of the time she would have no clue what's going on.

Is this common among the elderly with dementia in having little pieces of memory suddenly come and go?

Answer 1

Definitely-My father had early onset dementia (he was only 66) and so I spent a lot of time with him and the other residents of his home for several years. Many of them thought I was someone from their past-or that they were at work. They would at times appear to be totally coherent in their conversations and then they would say something that reminded you that they were not really there with you in the present. At times they knew who they were and where they were and other times they had no idea. Just remember that this disease only gets progressively worse and appreciate whatever moments of lucidity you can, but don't forget to show love to the person whether they remember you or not.

Answer 2

Long-term memory seems to be a bit stronger for some persons of this nature. I've known people with dementia and Alzheimers who could not remember anything that was told to them 2 minutes after they heard it. Yet, they could suddenly start talking about something that happened 45 years ago, and often with amazing clarity and great recollection. And then, the next time something was discussed, they couldn't remember anything about it. It is a very individual thing and it doesn't necessarily have the same effect with all people who suffer from these diseases.

Answer 3

Dan MaGrue mentioned that Alzheimer's disease isn't the same thing as senile dementia. Senile dementia is the broad category of types of mental deterioration connected with old age. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. There are several different types with similar symptoms but different causes. Here's a website that goes into the many types.

http://neurology.health-cares.net/senile-dementia.php

Answer 4

Dementia is a progressive disease; there is no "getting better"....

My mother died from dementia and lived in my home the last 5 months of her life. Most of the time she didn't know where she was, who I was. She had visual hallucinations and heard voices....would hold conversations with people who weren't there.

The first 3 months she was with me, she "came back" twice.....she knew who I was, her face changed, her eyes sparkled and she was my mother again. Each time only lasted seconds, at most.......

The very last things she recalled was my father (who had been dead for 40 years and from whom she had been separated since I was about 3 years old), and one of my brothers. Those were the only names she ever repeated....and had fantastic stories about them...none of which were true, of course.

Encourage your grandmother when she starts talking about real events she remembers....see if you can "keep her around" a few minutes....

It was the toughest thing I ever did in my life....and her death was a blessing....

Answer 5

Yes, it is. I visit folks at a nursing home and retirement center and some of the residents have dementia or Alzheimer's. I don't know if you grandmother is on meds, but esp when the right meds are given they can do quite well.

Older memories or those that they have 'revisited' many times seem to come back most. One of my friends, often remembers many things about her kids and of making and selling cakes to earn money for her family. Or she knows us when we visit, but doesn't remember we were there minutes later. When you can, visit your grandma and let her know you love her. My best wishes to you both!---Luvs

Answer 6

Yes, this is quite common among those with dementia. Their long term memory is much better than their short term. Most do not have much short term memory retention. In fact, her long term memory may show marked improvement as time goes on.

Answer 7

My grandmother lived with us until she died. She remembered things from 50 years ago, but couldn't recognize the people in the house. She recited a very long poem she used to recite to veterans in the hospital during WWI ! She was a child at the time. She would address me as someone else & I'd just play along, because if I tried to correct her, she would become scared & confused.

Best of luck to you. Try to be patient. She can't help it. (someday it might be you!)

Answer 8

My dad is 92yo..has dementia....who lives w/me.. and yes the memory goes and comes and they do remember from yrs ago.Isn't that amazing!!.. His days and nights are mixed up too...the Aricept and Namenda pills helps him a lot...no more wandering...

Answer 9

Most with this remember their past as a child or young adult.My great aunt always calls me by my mothers name.I don't have the heart to tell her that my parent are gone.

Answer 10

They can remember 50 years ago better than yesterday!! That's when you get your notebook out and write down some of your family history!!