Bill is a 92 year old who is usually known for being sharp and capable of independent living. For example, while family members were away for a month recently, Bill drove to their house twice a day to attend to their pets and light garden work.
However, we have noticed a couple of alarming things over the last week or so which are very out of character.
Recent memory issues
On Sunday, Bill’s son returned home from abroad, and had a phone call with Bill’s wife, confirming he was back. Bill’s wife relayed this to Bill. Then on Monday, Bill rang his son to “check if he was back yet” and saying he “hadn’t heard anything”.
On Monday, I spoke with Bill and answered various questions he had about a recent property sale in the family. Bill responded appropriately and said “Ah well, as long as Diane is happy with the outcome and can enjoy her trip, that’s all that matters.”
On Thursday, I spoke with Bill and answered the very same questions about the sale, with Bill commenting he “had no idea” what had happened. The conversation went along identical lines and Bill finished by saying “Ah well, as long as Diane is happy with the outcome and can enjoy her trip, that’s all that matters.”
What struck me was not just that Bill was seemingly not aware at all about our Monday conversation, but that his response was identical too.
Overall health
Bill is in good general health, no recent changes to medication (that we are aware of), and no family history of dementia. He walks, gardens, and reads daily. His only treatments are for mild atherosclerosis and blood pressure issues.
As mentioned, the recent events are out of character for Bill. The family had a brief conversation and decided to all “keep an eye” on it.
My question is, what in particular should or could we be doing and looking out for? Are there certain questions we should be asking (other than, say, whether there’s been any change in medication)? Any non-dementia related potential causes we should be looking out for?
Thanks for reading, and very many thanks for any advice and assistance!
However, we have noticed a couple of alarming things over the last week or so which are very out of character.
Recent memory issues
On Sunday, Bill’s son returned home from abroad, and had a phone call with Bill’s wife, confirming he was back. Bill’s wife relayed this to Bill. Then on Monday, Bill rang his son to “check if he was back yet” and saying he “hadn’t heard anything”.
On Monday, I spoke with Bill and answered various questions he had about a recent property sale in the family. Bill responded appropriately and said “Ah well, as long as Diane is happy with the outcome and can enjoy her trip, that’s all that matters.”
On Thursday, I spoke with Bill and answered the very same questions about the sale, with Bill commenting he “had no idea” what had happened. The conversation went along identical lines and Bill finished by saying “Ah well, as long as Diane is happy with the outcome and can enjoy her trip, that’s all that matters.”
What struck me was not just that Bill was seemingly not aware at all about our Monday conversation, but that his response was identical too.
Overall health
Bill is in good general health, no recent changes to medication (that we are aware of), and no family history of dementia. He walks, gardens, and reads daily. His only treatments are for mild atherosclerosis and blood pressure issues.
As mentioned, the recent events are out of character for Bill. The family had a brief conversation and decided to all “keep an eye” on it.
My question is, what in particular should or could we be doing and looking out for? Are there certain questions we should be asking (other than, say, whether there’s been any change in medication)? Any non-dementia related potential causes we should be looking out for?
Thanks for reading, and very many thanks for any advice and assistance!
