Key Takeaways
- Memory changes that interfere with daily life go beyond normal aging and need professional evaluation
- Starting gentle conversations early helps you address concerns while your mom can still participate in care decisions
- Working with healthcare providers gives you clear answers and guidance for next steps
- Memory care communities offer specialized support designed to help families navigate this challenging time
Watching your mom struggle with memory or daily tasks can leave you feeling worried and uncertain. You might notice she’s repeating stories, forgetting appointments, or seeming confused about things that used to be second nature to her.
Memory changes can be signs of normal aging, but they can also signal the early stages of dementia or other cognitive conditions that require professional evaluation and support. Knowing what to watch for can help you understand when it’s time to have important conversations and seek the right care in communities that offer specialized memory care services.
What Are The Early Warning Signs of Dementia?
The early signs of dementia can be subtle at first, making them difficult to recognize — especially when they involve someone you love. What may seem like simple forgetfulness can gradually become patterns that signal something more serious. Your mom might start forgetting recent conversations or events repeatedly, even when you remind her multiple times. She could have difficulty remembering names of close family members she’s known for decades.
You might notice she gets lost in familiar places like her neighborhood grocery store or struggles to find her way home from locations she’s visited many times before. She may also start misplacing items in unusual locations, like putting her keys in the refrigerator or her purse in the bathroom cabinet.
Changes in Daily Activities and Routine
Managing finances often becomes challenging early on. Your mom might have trouble paying bills on time, forget to pay them altogether, or make unusual financial decisions that don’t seem like her typical judgment.
Simple tasks she’s done for years can become confusing. She might struggle to follow familiar recipes, forget how to use household appliances, or have problems with personal hygiene and grooming routines. You may also notice confusion about time, dates, or seasons, like getting dressed for winter in summer or thinking it’s morning when it’s evening.
Social and Personality Shifts
Social withdrawal often happens gradually. Your mom might stop participating in activities or hobbies she once enjoyed, decline invitations to family gatherings, or seem less interested in maintaining friendships.
Personality changes can include mood swings that seem out of character, increased confusion during conversations, or agitation when faced with situations that used to be manageable. She might have difficulty following conversations, lose track of what people are saying, or struggle to find the right words to express her thoughts.
How To Differentiate Between Normal Aging vs Memory Concerns
Typical Memory Changes As We Age
Everyone experiences some memory changes as they get older. Occasional forgetfulness about names, appointments, or where you put your glasses is normal and usually doesn’t interfere with daily life.
Taking longer to learn new things, needing to write things down more often, or sometimes feeling overwhelmed when juggling multiple tasks are also typical parts of aging. These changes might be frustrating, but they don’t usually prevent someone from living independently or maintaining their relationships.
When Memory Changes Signal Something More
More concerning signs include forgetting how to do familiar tasks like cooking, driving, or using the telephone. Getting confused about where you are, even in familiar places, or having difficulty recognizing family members points to changes that need professional evaluation.
Poor judgment in financial decisions, like giving money to strangers or making large purchases they can’t afford, often indicates cognitive changes beyond normal aging. These behaviors can put your mom’s safety and financial security at risk.
Next Steps for Getting Help and Answers
Working with Healthcare Providers
Schedule an appointment with her primary care doctor to discuss your concerns and get a professional evaluation. Keep a journal of concerning behaviors or incidents to share with the healthcare team, including dates, times, and specific examples.
Ask about cognitive assessments or memory screenings that can help identify the cause of the changes you’re seeing. These evaluations can rule out other medical conditions that might affect memory, like vitamin deficiencies or medication side effects. Consider getting a second opinion if you feel your concerns aren’t being addressed adequately.
Exploring Care Options Early
Research memory care communities in your area while your mom can still participate in the decision-making process. Look into assisted living with specialized support that can adapt to her changing needs over time.
Consider respite care services that can give you breaks while providing professional support for your mom. Connect with local support groups for families dealing with similar situations, where you can find practical advice and emotional support from people who understand what you’re going through.
Navigate The Next Chapter With Support and Care
Recognizing that your mom might need memory care support can feel overwhelming, but taking action shows how much you care about her wellbeing. Whether she needs a little extra help with daily activities or more specialized memory care, communities like Norbella Senior Living in Champlin offer the support and knowledge your family needs during this time.
The sooner you reach out for help, the more options you’ll have to create a plan that works for everyone. Your mom deserves to live with dignity and joy, and you deserve support as you help her through this journey. Contact Norbella Senior Living at Champlin to schedule a tour and learn about how memory care services can support your family.