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Is My Grandfather S Increasing Forgetfulness And Confusion Signs Of Dementia Or Just Old Age?
Hi There, my Grandad is a bit of a tough cookie when it comes to attending GP appointments and does not like to go. He is 81 years old and over the past years we noticed he is getting worse. It is getting to a point now he forgot my name today and said “whatshername” instead of me and forgot his newborn great grandsons name we are a close knit family. He sometimes speeds a car instead of breaking and gets muddled with the gears (I advised he should stop driving) and leaves things on and leaves a room but we notice he is getting more forgetful. We are unsure if this is just old age or start of dementia and are quite worried. I would just like some advice on how to go about this.
Sat, 29 Mar 2025
Hi,
With the details you have given, he might be having dementia. Decrease in memory and cognitive functioning denotes towards the point that it is onset of dementia. For future references as well, forgetfulness is not a part of normal old age.
You should go for neurologist or neuropsychiatrist for further evaluation. Or you can do a simple mini mental state examination and based on score you can screen the level of cognitive defects he is having.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Achyut Acharya, General & Family Physician
With the details you have given, he might be having dementia. Decrease in memory and cognitive functioning denotes towards the point that it is onset of dementia. For future references as well, forgetfulness is not a part of normal old age.
You should go for neurologist or neuropsychiatrist for further evaluation. Or you can do a simple mini mental state examination and based on score you can screen the level of cognitive defects he is having.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Achyut Acharya, General & Family Physician
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