Memory glitches and loss are something that people of all ages experience. Your senior might be particularly sensitive to any types of memory issues, though, because she’s worried about bigger problems. If she’s expressing concern, there might be some steps you should take.
Stop for a Minute and Avoid Going to the Worst Place
Your senior’s worry stems from the fear that she might be developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. That fear may not be unfounded, especially if she’s got a family history of those conditions. Right now, though, it doesn’t help you or your senior if you immediately assume this is what’s going on. There are other reasons for memory loss and it’s important to look at all the facts.
Get an Idea Why She’s Worried
Talk to your senior about why she’s so worried that this is more severe than just the odd memory glitch. Her first worries might involve family history, of course, but there could be other issues. Take some notes so that you’ll be able to relate exactly what your senior has said to you. She may even find that finally talking to you about what she’s experienced helps her.
Talk to Her Doctor
From here, it’s important to get your senior’s doctor updated. There can be medications that your senior takes that interfere with her memory, she might not be getting as much sleep as usual, or there could be a definite problem. Her doctor can run tests, make inferences based on her medical history, and make some observations. The results of this visit can help to determine what happens next and whether some other sort of treatment might be necessary.
Put a Plan Together Based on What You’ve Learned
Take all the information you’ve gathered and work with your senior to put a plan together. In the best-case scenario, she might not be eating or sleeping right and that can interfere with how her brain works. She might also benefit from adding some brain-building activities to her day. If the news you both dreaded is accurate, though, you can at least start to put a plan of action together to deal with that possibility.
No matter what you and your senior determine from this process, it’s important that your senior feels comfortable. Sometimes this can mean ensuring that she’s got someone there with her, just in case. Homecare providers can offer companionship and be there if something does go seriously wrong with your senior’s memory.