A family gathering is a time for togetherness. It can also be a time when a family member notices that a parent seems forgetful and confused.
It was on Christmas Day when Miguel* noticed memory changes in his mother. “We all gathered in the kitchen as our mother made her traditional turkey stuffing,” he said. “She has made this dish for over 20 years, but she was having a lot trouble remembering the ingredients for the recipe. My sister finally had to step in and help her.”
Concerned that his mother’s memory was not what it used to be, Miguel talked privately with his sister. She told him that their mom had trouble telling the difference between a $10 and $20 dollar bill. They wondered if she had Alzheimer’s disease. Miguel decided he would call the Alzheimer’s Association when he returned home from the holiday.
Time to make a call
“I want to know about the symptoms of Alzheimer’s,” he said. “We know memory loss is one of them, but can you tell me more?” The Alzheimer’s Association care consultant described the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s. Miguel admitted that his mom had more than a few of the symptoms.
The care consultant encouraged Miguel to take his mom to visit the doctor to share her symptoms. Some dementia-like symptoms can be reversed if they are caused by treatable conditions, such as drug interaction or thyroid problems. The care consultant stressed how important it is for his mom to get a diagnosis so that she can receive appropriate treatment and care.
“Clearly I know what needs to be done – make a doctor’s appointment for my mom,” Miguel says. “If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, can I call you again?”
The care consultant told Miguel to call back anytime. The Alzheimer’s Association offers help and support to families through its 24/7 Helpline, local offices and online community.
* The names of callers have been changed to protect their privacy.
