She’s Having A Mild Dementia Now

@SIMPLYD (90722)
Philippines
June 22, 2016 1:39am CST
I was surprised when one day just this year , mother-in-law have asked me a question more than 5 times in a day . The next day , she cooked the same dish she cooked the other day and told my father-in-law when he said that she has cooked it the other day , that she haven’t yet . I was saddened because she’s becoming so forgetful now at her age 78 . My mother is of the same age , but thankfully not that yet and I hope she won’t even when she gets older . And just this April when my daughter and her boyfriend who have just graduated in Medicine last May , had their vacation at home told me that mother-in-law has now mild dementia . I have researched about its causes and some preventions , because I would like my mother-in-law’s mild dementia be arrested and so that my parents won’t have it even in the near future . Have you got someone who has this already ?
26 people like this
29 responses
@annierose (19134)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
No. I do not know anyone from my family circle who suffered dementia. I hope it will not happen to anyone as I think it is a very unhappy thing. I have read that memory games will help a person to prevent dementia. Aside from that, an old person must not always be alone having no one to talk to. There must always be someone beside her or him to talk to.
3 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
And i have also read that a problem or anxiety in life can cause it . She seemed sad that her husband despite now being mobile , cannot walk well because he has become overweight , because he cannot be controlled in his eating habit .
1 person likes this
@annierose (19134)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD I think she should have someone with her who is jolly enough to make her laugh. If she loves watching TV, I suggest you let her watch comedy shows even for whole day so she will forget the things that make her unhappy.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
@annierose Yes, they do watch TV , the 3 of them , her husband and her older sister who stayed with us for good , after having lived in the US for more than 35 years . They watch showtime and those shows at ABS because it's what mother-in-law wants . I wonder if it's hereditary .
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
22 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD I too do not know anyone with Dementia.But I think @annierose is right.Especially,they should not be left alone.We must let them participate in our conversations.
2 people like this
@annierose (19134)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
It is also applicable for people who are sick. I feel better when someone stays and talks with me when I am sick.
1 person likes this
@annierose (19134)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD Are their eyes good enough for reading? I would like to give reading materials to my mom but the problem is she cannot read much because of her poor vision.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
Actually , the 3 of them senior citizens are the ones always left at home on weekdays . I think they also talk amidst their watching TV almost the whole day . Watching TV i think is what causes dementia . So i told them not to watch TV the whole day , but instead they read also . That way , their brain is practiced .
2 people like this
• United States
22 Jun 16
No fortunately we have not. It is very sad my friend. I wish your mother in law not to have this.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
That's good to know for you and your family . I am sad that my mother-in-law is like this already . We shall be bringing her to the doctor so she can be medicated to prevent it from becoming worse .
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Jun 16
@TiarasOceanView Thank you . That photo was taken a year ago i think . That was with my high school batchmate . We went on a sunset cruise with that motorized banca around the sea in our area . It was so much fun really .
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD Yes I hope they can do something to help her poor lady. It is a lovely photo here of all of you my friend!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458583)
• Switzerland
22 Jun 16
Nobody in my family have, or had this problem. There are ways to reverse memory loss and mild dementia. The diet is very important, food rich in omega-3 (sardines, tuna, salmon) help to keep the brain healthy. @annierose is right, some videogames can help to train the brain, cross words are very useful for the memory.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
She's taking fish oil . We always do eat fish though seldom salmon and tuna because they are not in our seas here . I think , she has problem with videogames because she gets headache when using computer . She also does crosswords but i guess now , no more . What i think is best is for brother-in-law to bring her to the doctor so a medication can be done to prevent it from getting worse .
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458583)
• Switzerland
22 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD Yes, it's better that she sees a doctor even if for the moment there are no effective medications against senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
1 person likes this
@trivia79 (7828)
• El Segundo, California
23 Jun 16
life will be more harder if you have or someone in the household have a dementia
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
24 Jun 16
Actually yes . We always look for items that are usually on one place but now , we will have to look where it is because she forgets where she placed it . But she's in denial and to that we just let her think that way . I told my brother-in-law to accompany her to a specialist so her ailment can be arrested while it still can , by medications.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Jun 16
@trivia79 With cooking she still can . Though , sometimes she forgot that she have just previously cooked the dish . It's those things like she asked and would ask again afterwards .
1 person likes this
@trivia79 (7828)
• El Segundo, California
24 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD it can be controlled but can't be cured. with that case, just don't let her do the things that is delicate like cooking or fixing things
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
It's funny sometimes when I visit one old woman on Sundays and her son-in-law would also be there lying on another bed to pass the time and have company because there's also a caregiver for the woman. The son-in-law, when he sees me entering the room, would ask me to take his BP after his mother-in-law and the caregiver would laugh and tell the son-in-law that I'm not a doctor. The doctor comes over every other Sunday.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
I wonder why the son-in-law mistakes you for a doctor ? 1. YOu have the looks of a doctor ? 2. You wear an all white clothes ? Why do you think ?
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
@sunrisefan Oh that's sad . How young is he , that he has that already ?
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD He has the early stage of alzheimer's disease.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
22 Jun 16
Three people from my family had dementia - my grandmother, my great-grandmother and my great-grandfather's sister. I was very close to my grandmother and when she was still living alone she called me many times each day. I tried to help her over the phone and I visited her as much as possible. She forgot many things. Sometimes she invited family members over for dinner, but she forgot that they were coming and when they arrived she had no food. Sometimes medication helps. The medication doesn'r cure the person, but it prevents the illness from getting worse. Medication isn't an option in very case, it depends on the type of dementia. My grandmother tried medication, but unfortunately the side effects made her ill and she had to stop.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
23 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD Yes, unfortunately some types of dementia are heriditary. My mother is worried that she will be the next one, but so far she doesn't have any problems. I really hope it remains that way. I hope that your family can convince your mother-in-law to see a doctor. It is possible that medication will be able to stop the illness from getting worse.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
Oh that is so sad . It seems it is heriditary . So be carefull , and search at the net how not to have it in the future . I keep doing that . I told my brother-in-law to bring her mother to the doctor to at least perhaps be given a medication to arrest it while it's still mild. My mother-in-law denies it when she forgets something .
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
24 Jun 16
@Porcospino We told her last time to see a doctor to at least prevent her being forgetful to progress . But she's in denial , saying that she forgets because when she was answered she don't pay attention to it .
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
25 Jun 16
My mother in-law was diagnosed with dementia when she was in her mid 80s and she quickly went down from there .. She became very suspicious of everyone, and abusive too which was not like her at all .. She remembered some names but not faces ..It was difficult to take care of someone with dementia..
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Jun 16
@epiffanie Oh is it ? She always denies having forgotten this and that . She is frequently lying now
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Jun 16
But i have read that if the dementia is just mild , it can be treated still . We told mother-in-law that she will be accompanied to the doctor so her being so "forgetful" can be arrested by medication . But she's in denial of the ailment .
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
27 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD They haven't found a cure for it yet, but yes there are medications that can slow the process .. and of course, being in denial is one of the symptoms of dementia ..
1 person likes this
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
I hope my mom doesn't experience this but you never know since we are all getting old. I better watch my mom this past few days.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
You better research on what foods to eat and what things to do so she won't have it . US , also as early as now , we should feed our brain with healthy foods .
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
@Letranknight2015 Thank you for sharing this . Continue eating veggies for a healthy body and mind .
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD this is good, I've been eating mustard greens,carrots and bock choy lately, but i can't eat them all because of my uric acid problem has not resolved yet. looks like i made the right decision to eat veggies now a days.
When I was 14 years old, my grandfather died of Alzheimer’s disease. I remember the years leading up to his death and how quickly his mind wore away.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Jun 16
Yes, I have a post up now, and a discussion with someone about it, in my discussion called my grandmother went to er. she is 98 years old and she has it very, very bad, most days she doesn't remember us, most days she is very violent. Locks had to be changed, she was going outside at night wandering around. Knifes had to be put away or she is grabbing them and stabbing furniture..
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Jun 16
@CookieMonster46 Yes, that's what i also think about it .
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
28 Jun 16
I lost two grandparents to severe demetia. It's nasty.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
28 Jun 16
Oh that's sad . For how long did they live after having it ?
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
28 Jun 16
@boiboing Okay . I don't really like to be scared about it . I already told my brother-in-law that she has to be seen by a doctor , so while it's still mild , it might still can be medicated .
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
28 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD I don't really want to tell you about it as it sounds like this case is much more mild and there's no point me scaring you with our family stories.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18919)
• United States
22 Jun 16
My neighbor had dementia too. Her sister finally moved her into a rest home.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
24 Jun 16
@JESSY3236 She's better now , in a rest home where there are caregivers who can attend to them at any time .
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
I think it is just a wise decision . It is difficult if a person with dementia will be left at home , while the other one goes to work .
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18919)
• United States
23 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD Her sister didn't live with her. She tried, but my mother caught her sister sleeping while that neighbor had a seizure. So her sister moved back home.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
I'm sorry to hear that. Our neighbour is suffering from this illness and it is so sad that another neighbour would accommodate her every morning for she always thought that she hadn't eaten breakfast, that her kids doesn't cook for her... when in fact she just ate her breakfast.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
It's at this point of their lives (those affected by dementia) that our patience and understanding should be at its peak . That neighbor is so kind for understanding her .
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
@rachz_kisses Oh so that's why . She's a kind and true friend , that neighbor .
1 person likes this
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD They were close friends.
1 person likes this
@solitary (260)
23 Jun 16
At this time, they need our our patience and understanding.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
Yes , that's very true . We are now their hand , feet and mind .
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
@solitary It will not be that hard if we truly love them .
@solitary (260)
23 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD It would be hard but that's what we need to do
1 person likes this
@MGjhaud (23200)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
Me, i guess. I sometimes ask people if i already asked the same question and they would laugh at me. Sometimes if im too busy and i suddenly ask for the time, it wont really register in my head then i would ask again. Im a very forgetful person. Certified. Thats why i dont keep money in hiding, i dont keep friends stuff for safety, i dont go to the grocery without a list, etc cause i know i forget something. Always.
1 person likes this
@MGjhaud (23200)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
I never thought that it might lead or a start of having that disease. I'll read more about it.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
As early as now my friend , research on how that being forgetful can be prevented from becoming dementia . Actually , it can be medicated so it could prevented from getting worse .
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47095)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
22 Jun 16
My dad's mom has dementia. I'm not really close to that side of the family, so I don't really know the extent of things.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47095)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
23 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD yup. Very true.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
It's sad when a member of the family has dementia . But the family should understand and take care of her .
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
My aunt next door..same question and i heard keep cooking rice
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
So your aunt too . Do you think it's a bit advanced or just mild too ?
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
@Lucky15 At least she is old already so it's understandable she has that already . Good thing , my father now 84 isn't demented yet and i am hoping and praying he won't have that .
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
22 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD she is..more than 80 now ;(
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39264)
• Gouverneur, New York
25 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD it is so sad. My father had alzheimers. It is heartbreaking. There are ways to help someone with dementia, a doctor should be able to help.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Jun 16
Indeed when one has Alzheimer's it's so heartbreaking because he lives without remembering who are the persons he is infront of . Yes, dementia is the milder form of Alzheimers which can still be arrested so it will not blow into that , i think .
@paigea (35714)
• Canada
22 Jun 16
Many people in my family have had this. It is very sad. There are medications that can help at least for a while. Take care.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
23 Jun 16
Really . So it can be said that it's hereditary . I think if it's in early stage something like interventions and medications can be done to at least arrest them .
@paigea (35714)
• Canada
23 Jun 16
@SIMPLYD Yes, see what the doctor can offer.
1 person likes this
@AkoPinay (11544)
• Philippines
28 Jun 16
Yes, my grandparents had the same problem.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
28 Jun 16
I think when one is already as old as over 85 it's understandable . But if one is just past 75 , i think it's early to have them .
1 person likes this
@AkoPinay (11544)
• Philippines
28 Jun 16
1 person likes this