We Think Mom Has Dementia
Suspecting cognitive decline in a parent is one of the most disorienting experiences a family can face. Early, honest assessment is the single most protective step you can take.
Overview
'Dementia' is an umbrella term for a decline in memory, reasoning, or judgment significant enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for roughly 60–70% of cases, but vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia each present differently and require different care approaches. Reversible causes — thyroid disease, B12 deficiency, urinary tract infection, depression — should always be ruled out first.
Clinical explanation, in family-friendly language
Providers use tools like the Mini-Cog, MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), or SLUMS to screen for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. A full workup includes bloodwork, medication review, mood assessment, and often neuroimaging. Distinguishing MCI from early dementia matters — roughly one-third of MCI patients remain stable or improve with intervention. Early diagnosis also preserves your loved one's ability to participate in their own care planning while they still can.
Common warning signs
- Repeating the same question or story within a single conversation
- Difficulty following recipes, TV plots, or multi-step directions
- Getting lost on familiar routes or in familiar buildings
- Poor judgment with money — unusual purchases, missed bills, scam susceptibility
- Withdrawal from hobbies, social groups, or church
- Personality changes: new irritability, suspicion, apathy, or disinhibition
Frequently asked questions
How is dementia different from 'normal aging'?
Occasionally forgetting a name is normal. Forgetting the name of a lifelong friend, or not recognizing the friend, is not. The threshold is interference with independent function.
Should we push for a diagnosis, or wait?
Push, gently. Early diagnosis allows treatable causes to be found, permits legal and financial planning while capacity is intact, and unlocks Arizona programs and clinical trials that require documented diagnosis.
Do we need to see a specialist?
Primary care is a reasonable starting point. If findings are complex or diagnosis is unclear, request referral to a geriatrician, neurologist, or memory disorders clinic.
When to seek professional guidance
- When safety incidents (leaving the stove on, wandering, medication errors) begin
- When your parent is resistant to evaluation and family relationships are straining
- Before signing any new legal or financial documents
- When you're making care decisions without a formal diagnosis to guide you
Care options to consider
- In-home care with dementia-trained caregivers
- Adult day programs designed for cognitive engagement
- Assisted living with cognitive support services
- Memory Care communities for moderate-to-advanced dementia
Arizona-specific resources
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute — evaluation and clinical trials
- Alzheimer's Association Desert Southwest Chapter — 24/7 helpline
- Duet: Partners in Health & Aging — free dementia caregiver support groups
Suggested next steps
- 1Keep a two-week symptom journal — specific incidents, not impressions
- 2Rule out reversible causes with a comprehensive metabolic panel and TSH
- 3Complete durable powers of attorney while capacity is intact
- 4Schedule a memory care planning session with an AdvaCare navigator
You don't have to figure this out alone.
An AdvaCare navigator will listen, translate the clinical picture into plain language, and help you decide what to do next — at no cost.
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