MIL was unable to tell time on an analog watch last week, 5 different times. She is 89 and still has her “intelligence” but memory is gone. This threw me a bit….is this the first of many?
Probably dementia had already started several years before but nobody noticed. The different functions of the brain (orientation, recall, short and long term memory, calculation, attention span, concentration, judgement, abstract thinking, problem solving skills, expression of emotions, affect, mood, perception of reality, etc, etc., begin to fail one by one. Not all of them at the same time. It may be rapid or slow, it may be continuous of by short bursts.
Daughterinlaw56, analog wrist watch? Just curious, how long ago did Mom-in-law last had her eyes checked? If it has been awhile, it could be she cannot focus clearly now. I know I can't.
This is one of the reasons the "clock" test is given when many go for a yearly physical. I am sure this is not the "first" sign of cognitive decline you have noticed. It is the little things that happen day to day that finally "click" and you realize something is not right. It could be losing a word during a conversation, using the wrong word, talking around a subject. Wearing the wrong clothing, or having it backwards. Eating more often, or less often because they forgot they already ate or thought they ate. Taking longer to get home...and the reason is they took a wrong turn. There are so many "little" things that it is difficult to put your finger to one thing and say "this is when it began" I have read that people diagnosed with dementia have hidden the "mistakes" for sometimes 10 years before it gets to the point where others notice or covering up is not possible.
I was in the room when Mom took that watch test. I would have flunked. Dr kept tapping the glass asking her what it was. I thought, the crystal. He was looking for face. Then the memory tests. Look at things on a tray, cover it up and then list what was on the tray. I never did well on this at Wedding and Baby showers, Then its looking at a house then drawing it. Mom did pretty well, me I would have flunked.
I am sure this is not the "first" sign of cognitive decline you have noticed.
It is the little things that happen day to day that finally "click" and you realize something is not right.
It could be losing a word during a conversation, using the wrong word, talking around a subject.
Wearing the wrong clothing, or having it backwards.
Eating more often, or less often because they forgot they already ate or thought they ate.
Taking longer to get home...and the reason is they took a wrong turn.
There are so many "little" things that it is difficult to put your finger to one thing and say "this is when it began"
I have read that people diagnosed with dementia have hidden the "mistakes" for sometimes 10 years before it gets to the point where others notice or covering up is not possible.