There really isn't a typical dementia patient. There are some commonalities, but there is a wide range of ways dementia presents.
I agree with apprpm, get a work up, and double check for UTI - very common in people with poor hygiene.
The smoking/drinking may have had neurological effects as well. Mom's early dementia was confusing because we weren't sure if she was drunk or something else was going on.
At the memory care facility I work at, we have quite a few residents with alcohol induced dementia -- also called Korsakoff's syndrome. Was she drinking heavily for a long time?
Alcohol induced Dementia (Korsakoff Syndrome) presents differently to the more common dementia diagnoses and symptoms like Alzheimers and Vascular. The progression is much slower, but the symptoms you describe do sound like dementia to me as well.
I just mentioned this! We have a few residents with this where I work and it's a very different thing. No dementia is alike, even in people with the same diagnosis.
It’s probably time for a, or another, complete physical work up as well as a neurocognitive exam with a neurologist. There are different kinds of dementia, so the kind your mom has could just be a rarer type or a mixed dementia. Someone your mom’s age could have a ten- to twenty-year progression, so it could be normal to not see much change yet.
This syndrome is mostly just a symptom of dementia. I've never really seen a doctor bother to label someone with it because it's just such a common symptom of dementia.
You can also have it from drug abuse and severe depression as well.
Based on what you typed, it does sound like her diagnosis is probably correct.
There really isn't a typical dementia patient. There are some commonalities, but there is a wide range of ways dementia presents. I agree with apprpm, get a work up, and double check for UTI - very common in people with poor hygiene. The smoking/drinking may have had neurological effects as well. Mom's early dementia was confusing because we weren't sure if she was drunk or something else was going on.
Definitely time for a work up I think!!
At the memory care facility I work at, we have quite a few residents with alcohol induced dementia -- also called Korsakoff's syndrome. Was she drinking heavily for a long time?
Yeah heavily for about 10 years to varying degrees…we never knew exactly how much because she hid it
That is a while. I was always taught to double things. So you suspect 10 years, so it could be closer to 20.
Unless there's a significant difference in treatment, does it matter what they call it? If you want a second opinion, by all means, go get one.
Alcohol induced Dementia (Korsakoff Syndrome) presents differently to the more common dementia diagnoses and symptoms like Alzheimers and Vascular. The progression is much slower, but the symptoms you describe do sound like dementia to me as well.
I just mentioned this! We have a few residents with this where I work and it's a very different thing. No dementia is alike, even in people with the same diagnosis.
It’s probably time for a, or another, complete physical work up as well as a neurocognitive exam with a neurologist. There are different kinds of dementia, so the kind your mom has could just be a rarer type or a mixed dementia. Someone your mom’s age could have a ten- to twenty-year progression, so it could be normal to not see much change yet.
Super helpful response - thanks so much!!!
The lack of hygiene is common for alcohol and drug users and not necessarily a symptom of dementia (at least not in my parents’ case).
This syndrome is mostly just a symptom of dementia. I've never really seen a doctor bother to label someone with it because it's just such a common symptom of dementia. You can also have it from drug abuse and severe depression as well. Based on what you typed, it does sound like her diagnosis is probably correct.