My mother has been diagnosed with dementia for less than 1 year. Symptoms were noted 3-4 years prior to diagnosis. Why am I the only one she can't recognize?

mml8456: My mother had a lot of U.T.I.s and would get confused on the simplest of things, e.g. "I think DGD's birthday is December 5." (one day off as she knew it to be December 4 for her entire life), "I think Janice is really Janet." and a number of other odd comments.

Another odd habit about some of my aunts (mother's sisters) is that they would call a person by an incorrect name, e.g. Barbara then was called 'Sally.' Huh? Never quite got that.

Do not take anything she says or does, personally. She has a brain disease.

Being a visitor gives you the advantage of getting to know your mother as a woman who needs help, while not getting entangled in all the associated emotions. For now, just go along with the professionals and don't worry about relationships...................they will all change.

(copy and paste) https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-signs-alzheimers-disease

My mother introduces me as her mother.

But, lately, as soon as she sees me, she will ask if I have brought the apple I always give her when I visit.

Dementia sure is weird!

It hurts but understand it has to do with the parts of the brain affected. Perhaps you are tied to certain emotional experiences and circuits and that part has been attacked by disease. She can’t help it and it is sad for you.

Your mother may start recognizing you again once the uti clears up. It's awful how confused and discombobulated they get with that particular infection.

I knew something was amiss when my mother started introducing me as her "mother" to the other residents at her AL. At first I thought she was joking and turned back to look at her, expecting to see her laughing. She wasn't. She was diagnosed with dementia shortly thereafter.

As time went on, I truly believe she thought I was her mother (as her daughter). They revert back in time to when they were much younger, with dementia, so it's definitely possible. I never corrected her, just changed the subject. Some days she acknowledged me as her daughter and never forgot who I was.

Don't give up hope that your mom won't snap out of this momentary bout of forgetfulness she's experiencing. She may not, but she just MAY surprise you. They all have good days and bad days.

I visit a friend who had a brain bleed after a brain surgery. Left her with a LOT of deficits, sadly.

Every time I go visit her (1 hr increments) it's like experiencing 4-15 minute separate visits.

I tell her who I am. She figures it out. Then she tells me why she's in the NH and how good they are to her. Then she hits the buzzer for the nurse (just wants to make sure they're not forgetting her!) They've disconnected the buzzer, b/c she rings it incessantly and doesn't remember. Her room is right across from the nurses station, they see her all day long.

I walk out to fetch the nurse if it's a real 'need' otherwise, I just walk out and wait a minute and walk back in and say "Ok, someone is coming".

Then we start all over again.

She doesn't remember me and I don't take it personally.

My MIL confuses my DH and his OB, which gets kind of funny, b/c she will talk bad about the one brother, thinking she's complaining about the OTHER brother.

Nothing to do about this and nothing helps. You just have to go with the flow.

Its called showtiming... yes they will forget you and everything you do. Please remember that it is the disease and not them. My daddy forgot me on three occasions. I praise God it was only three! It hurt but I told myself its the disease and I know he loved me!
Your mom loves you just go with it to argue or try to tell her will only upset her.
Blessings and prayers for you and your family.

My Mother does me the same way. I am her daughter. She calls
me her aunt and Mom. When she says Mom, my heart melts because she says I take good care of her. I used to be angry for im the only child taking care of her. I count it all joy. I was told the one that they’re close to or the one they forget.

My step-mother has FTD, she goes in and out of recognizing me and my brother.

Sometimes she calls me Elaine (not my name) yesterday my brother said she didn't know his name but recognized his face.

IDK, it is a strange disease, I wouldn't be too concerned right now, the UTI might have something to do with it.

We just go with the flow and do not take it personally.