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Does old age have symptoms? Dementia has levels of symptoms, to which my 82-year-old mother has symptoms at each level.

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If Mom can't remember how to use a computer after teaching it, she has Dementia. My boss, RN, discribed Dementia as...knowing its a stove but forgetting how to use it. Alzheimers...you forget its a stove.

I agree, Mom needs a full physical with labs.
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Marine301 Jun 30, 2025
Thank you for your time to help me.
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Of course you are already, as an adult, aware of the problems of the elderly with eyesight, mobility, strength and etc. So we can just refer you to sitting about "watching the world move by" as far as the problems of normal aging process.

Dementia is defined by mental deficits that make it dangerous for elders to attempt to function safely on their own.

Remember, the internet is your friend, and if you type into your favorite search engine, Google, Bing or any other the words "What is dementia" or "What is normal aging process" you will get a whole WORLD of wonderful help.
Also talk to your local librarian.
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Older people may be slower both physically and mentally and that might cause difficulty getting stuff done in a timely manner or learning new things, but aging alone shouldn't cause loss of previous knowledge or the inability to do and understand things we have previously mastered.
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Marine301 Jun 30, 2025
thank you
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The following is a link to an article discussing the differences between normal aging and dementia. The only way to know for sure is to be tested.

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-loss-and-forgetfulness/memory-problems-forgetfulness-and-aging
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Marine301 Jun 29, 2025
Thank you for the link. Very helpful.
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Would you mind listing some things that she does?

Dementia is more about loss of executive functions along with memory impairment. A lot of people don’t realize that about executive functioning.
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Marine301 Jun 29, 2025
Upon researching this topic, I have come to the conclusion that she is experiencing old age. She taught computer programing, but she is not computer literate today. She gets on the scam websites and blames the other website for sending her there. It was clear that she made the mistake. She's remembering life events in the wrong city. She is struggling with following recipes. Doctors will suggest trying a different medication, she won't try because it's not FDA approved. Neither are vitamins but she takes those. She will do what she chooses to with no understanding that she is wrong.
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