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Senior Health

Mother and friends

04/02/2009

Question:

My mother is over 80 and she has fallen out with all her friends and now only has me and my sister to visit her. I`ve tried to get her to contact the friends but she refuses. She has even started to argue with my sister, a thing she never did before. Her short term memory is poor. Could she be in early dementia?

Answer:

Hi. It sounds like your mother is experiencing some changes that could  Could be due to a variety of causes such as depression, anxiety, or other physical/mental condition.

Suggest your mother see her primary health care provider along with you or your sister so you can be there to provide support and information about the changes that are occurring. It is important that we take notice of personality changes as it may indicate an illness or condition that may be treatable.

For more information:

Go to the Senior Health health topic, where you can:

Response by:

Evelyn L Fitzwater, DSN, RN Evelyn L Fitzwater, DSN, RN
Associate Professor Emerita
Associate Director of the
College of Nursing
University of Cincinnati