I have a question about how memory loss happens over time. My mom certainly has short term memory issues and normally talks constantly about her childhood. She has forgotten her life with my father. They were married almost 50 years. However, lately I am finding that mom is forgetting those childhood stories now. Things she talked about constantly 3 months ago regarding her childhood she cannot remember now. Is that the normal decline that comes with dementia? She has not been officially diagnosed so I am not sure what type of dementia we are dealing with. She still has many abilities. She can make her bed, and get dressed in her own. She does wear pull-ups but can go to the bathroom on her own. Her memory issues seemed to be increasing but her physical abilities are stable. Am I making any sense? Thank you, my friends, for the advice.
Best of luck to you
We found things she could enjoy, ice cream, a shared coke, walks in the garden, playing catch with a soft stuffed animal and making a fuss over her baby doll, whom she held when she didn't have visitors.
We just tried to bring love and laughter right now, because that was all she had.
It seems that long-term memory is what gets cemented in people's brains and the shorter term memory is what goes, but I suppose it depends on what part of her brain is affected.
My folks were married 66 years, but within two months of his death my dad disappeared from Mom's memory. I think it was because her heart was broken, though. Otherwise, she gradually lost me from her memory as well as her grandchildren, and when she died she was 16 and in love with her first boyfriend again.
She was all over the place.