Mom is 91 and has begun to forget who is related to who in our family. Is this beginning dementia?

meohmy, my mother-in-law and I will go out to lunch, and while I'm stuffed she's asking me 15 minutes later if we're going out to lunch. I don't know if she can't feel she's full, or just can't remember. It's dementia.

If you can look back and see that this memory problem has been coming on for awhile, then I'd say it was dementia. If on the other hand it seems to be a sudden change, then I'd guess a UTI maybe. Either way, if it's dementia your mom can be put on some meds that will slow it down (Aricept or Namenda usually) and if it's sudden, she still needs to be seen by her doctor.

On the other hand, she's 91. Give her a break! Sure, take her to the doctor, but if you were 91, your brain might malfunction now and then. Just sayin.

Have a big family? If so not surprising she can't remember who is related to who, like the other poster said, she is 91! Does she ask the same questions repeatedly? Like every 15 min? This is more an indicator to me.

Dr. is the best one to figure this out, but those types of comments are typical of my MIL who has ALZ.

Maybe.

On the other hand, I'm working on a family calendar right now and collecting pictures from about 50 family members. I'm not always sure how we are all related, without a cheat sheet. Continue to observe her and see if the memory lapses extend to other areas.

If she hasn't seen a doctor in a while a general check up to establish a baseline might be in order. And as Nancy says, checking for a uti is a good practice when odd behavior comes on suddenly.

Yes she does ask repeat questions, like for example "what day of the week is it?" She has been forgetting that she just had lunch and thinks it is time to eat again. I remind her, but always ask if she is hungry. I was curious if people with dementia think they are hungry because they can't remember that they just ate a meal?

She has been having regular check ups at the doctor. She is scheduled for one in a few weeks and I will ask the doctor about her memory.