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I am the caregiver of my 93 year old father. He has a few serious health issues. There are times that he has forgotten how to button his shirt, even put it on, use a fork, do any paperwork. Then as I start increasing his care by helping him dress etc. it seems to go away in a few days. He showed signs of Sundowning for months. Every night after dinner, falling asleep on the couch and waking up startled or seeing people not in the room, losing things that 'he just had in his hand' or laughing and talking to someone not there.
This has stopped as well after weeks and weeks of it. His doctors aren't giving me answers, and when I took him to a neurologist, he said it was not worth testing him for dementia at this age.....????
Don't get me wrong - I LOVE him very much and don't want to see him pass. But one minute he's on 'death's door', with warnings of near future dialysis - in the hospital with congestive heart failure etc. and the next, he's doing great! Working on his taxes, remembering things to do that I've forgotten etc.
What!?!? Just confused!

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Seems like ANYTHING is 'normal' with dementia.

If you catch my MIL on a 'bad day' all you will get from her is screaming (literally) and vitriol. On a 'good day' she can be calm and actually make sense and not cause drama. Sadly, her 'dementia test' fell on a 'good day' so the dr felt she was OK to live alone. Now she's a hot mess about 75% of the time and wearing her DD out!! She will allow ONLY DD to do for her and has no idea DD is heading for a heart attack.

Nothing to be done until she falls and hurts herself again. Dh lives in dread of that phone call.
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The symptoms you describe are certainly indicative of dementia. Typically the symptoms progress slowly over time and they may come and go periodically. Your dad's other medical issues can contribute to his symptoms. The older one gets, the higher the risk of dementia. The neurologist may not think it's worth going thru the tests to find the cause of the symptoms considering his other health issues. Understand that dementia refers to symptoms only and is not a specific disease. A person must go thru certain tests to find the cause of the symptoms. These could involve an MRI, bloodwork, even a spinal tap. However, not getting a diagnosis means you don't know what you're dealing with. I would visit one more neurologist or gerontologist for their opinion. You would then have to decide whether or not to pursue additional testing.
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I would say that the CHF, kidney failure and his deafness all contribute to this. CHF he is not getting enough oxygen to the brain. It has been shown that people with hearing problems suffer from Dementia. His age, there would be some decline. Now the neurologist, I would want to know at least what type of dementia.
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Thank you - yes, with being quarantined for a year with this....I certainly do question my reality....
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My dad had congestive heart failure and his dementia presented very much like your experience.

I remember questioning my own sanity and the test results that diagnosed the dementia.

Help him when he needs it and let him do everything that he is capable of. That was the best way for me.

Great big warm hug! This is a rollercoaster ride for sure. He is blessed to have you.
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