I believe my mother has dementia...NOT ALZHEIMERS...there is a difference....sheis 79 years old...has had a fa

fair amount of weight loss,repeats herself....things/or events she has told me about,agitation,personality change,self centered,cant remember me telling things to her....trouble understanding abstract concepts....but she knows who people are,where she is going sense of direction...she still drives.....I guess routine things she can do....I think she has Dementia???? any suggestion....its very slight but i think its there

Dementia is a descriptive term for significant cognitive decline, usually involving memory and usually progressive. Alzheimer's is just one cause of dementia (the most common cause). It would be best to have your mother seen by a neurologist who can do a full work up to determine the possible causes of her condition and which treatments might be helpful.

If she does not want to do this, point out that you are concerned and that there may a reversible cause of her condition, such as nutritional deficiencies, but even if it is a disease such as Alzheimer's there is medication. It is important to remember that the medication slows but does not stop the deterioration, so it most effective to take it earlier in the course of the disease. Also it is important to realize that the medications are prescribed for and helpful with many forms of dementia, not just Alzheimer's.

Time for some tests. MRI, Cat Scan.
It might even be as simple as nutritional, or lack of blood flow.
B-complex (injection) is really very effective on memory and unclear thinking (very cheap and common to get $30 or less at any doctor).

You are probably right. Try to get someone to watch her as often as possible. Her driving should be limited as she may go somewhere and not remember how to get home.

With the issues you discuss, your mom does NOT need to drive! Immediately consult her doctor, ASAP! Any of the things mentioned are very serious! Let that Dr. know how long this has been going on, make lists of things that are happening and a list of her meds. Also, if possible, speak to your local welfare [or 'seniors' ] representative to get help for her NOW!
There is something terribly wrong and the time to help her is NOW. She can hurt herself terribly because of what you mentioned.
Do this for your mom, it may hurt you alot, but she cared for you... she deserves to be checked out medically, maybe her medications sorted out and help for her.
Do NOT get hurt if she gets angry! She can not help what she is going through, it's not her fault. If necessary, please do ask for a 'power of attorney' to speak for her in the future if it gets worse. She again, may get mad, but if you are all that she has in this world...
Just go and do some chatting or calls as soon as possible, starting with that doctor. One more thing, if she lives in a rural or dangerous neighborhood, please do consult someone in the police department because of her acting out and is 'needy'. Speak with her neighbors if you feel there is someone that has been 'friendly' with her that is a woman.[maybe the mailman can be advised also.]
My best to you!

You should make an appt to see her doctor. He/she can evaluate her and let them know about your observations about her changes. Sometimes, for some unexplained reason, some older people become "sun-downers". When it gets later in the evening (when the sun starts to go down), they become more confused on certain things, causing them to get agitated, etc. Its very common among people that age.

Alzheimer's is a form of dementia. I'm not sure why you are so insistent she has one and not the other, especially if she hasn't been tested for anything, or why the name of what she has matters so much to you. My dad drove for the first year and a half after he was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's; he can still dress himself, feed himself, and do many tasks without help 3+ years after his diagnosis.

There are cognitive tests to determine if someone is impaired. If so, then they move to blood tests and brain scans to see what it is. The Alzheimer's form of dementia is diagnosed when all other forms are ruled out. The only absolute diagnosis comes after death, when the brain is examined.