Archive for January 21st, 2010

Posted on January 21, 2010 - by Nurse Virginia

When the Elder has Signs of Dementia – Early Alzheimer’s Disease before the Diagnosis (Part II)

When the main activity is watching TV – and yet elder is not following the program

Gary can watch TV all day long even re-runs, because he is now so unsure of what he has seen. When watching with his wife he will frequently ask her for info on what they have just seen. “Who was that guy?” “Is she the same woman who was there before?”

Gary no longer seems to follow the story line or remember the characters. Sometimes when his wife laughs he will turn to her as if to say why are you laughing? Gary seems now to do the best with old re-runs especially The Andy Griffith Show.

Those simple story lines in the half hour comedy are much easier to follow. Although it is disconcerting for his wife to hear him say “this is one we haven’t seen.” When she knows they have seen this episode many times. And she can say some of the dialogue along with the actors.

Forgetting to eat – not sure if he has eaten

Gary is a man who never missed a meal.

Many times Gary forgets to eat until he realizes he is hungry. Some days when his wife comes home from work, Gary isn’t sure he has eaten at all. When his wife leaves him a sandwich for lunch and calls him from work to ask if he has eaten it, he will say he ate it. Then she will see it still in the refrigerator when she comes home.

This doesn’t mean he didn’t eat. He might have had a bowl of cereal. Gary just didn’t remember the sandwich and didn’t notice it in the refrigerator.

Gary is doing just fine he would tell anyone he is a happy man. He certainly looks happy and contented and well taken care of. However Gary is living with his wife who has noticed these changes and keeps track of things for him.

Would Gary be safe if living alone? Would Gary be eating spoiled food? Probably. When is it the right time for a family to step in?

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com