Dad is in his 60s with a family history of Alzheimer's and he also had a traumatic brain injury in the past 3 years. He recently sent me a picture of 2 little girls I did not know and I was confused. I asked my mom and its some kids they used to know a long time ago and he apparently sent it to me because he thinks it is a picture of my sister and me. Now granted, the girls have about the same age gap as us and the right hair color. But even my husband immediately looked at the picture and asked who those girls were so, I think it should be obvious it's not us. Especially to our own dad who raised us. I originally brushed it off but am now getting worried. I don't know if this is possibly a side effect of the TBI or a possible symptom of Alzheimers or just getting older and not paying attention. Thoughts?
A TBI does up the stakes for future cognitive problems. We can't give you any answers, except that your Dad should see a neurologist. Your Mom is the one who should be encouraging him to go.
If she doesn't seem concerned or hasn't noticed anything abnormal other than sending you a picture of some old friends, then I certainly wouldn't spend your time worrying over something that may be nothing but an honest mistake.
But if your mom has noticed any changes, then of course she should have your dad see his neurologist to try and get to the bottom of what may be going on.
Having had a TBI your dad does have a much higher risk of developing some form of dementia down the road, but let's not put the cart before the horse here, as like I said before, this may have been just an honest mistake.