keith_w wrote:
> Without a working/functional short term memory, you can't read a book,
> sometimes not even read a newspaper.
> You find it increasingly difficult just playing cards, because you can't
> recall the rules, and don't really know what to DO... My MIL looks at the
> cards in her hand with that typical "stare" the clueless get... so she
> follows
> directions without knowing what or why.
>
> So, casual conversation gets increasingly difficult, as in "what do you talk
> about?"
> Age related dementia [as I experience it] is only different from Alzheimers
> in
> that she recognizes family members at the moment.
> Tomorrow, next week, who knows...
Ain't _that_ the truth ... a relative of mine has severe Multiple
Sclerosis. One of the symptoms is short-term memory loss. It's
difficult to engage him in conversation; aside from the fact that he
is disabled to the point which he cannot work or go out of the house
without assistance, he doesn't even remember what little he reads or
sees on TV. Fortunately, his anger and frustration remains
restricted to his limitations. He does not use them against other
people.
> Re the fears, yes. That's a sad part of it. The fears don't go away. Probably
> increase, as do the multitude of anxieties older folks get.
> Then, when you get so that you don't feel you can trust those caretakers
> around you, it gets worse yet...
Strange how the memory may not be able to hold _anything_ very long,
but the negative stuff "raises its ugly rear end" (to quote a local
sportscaster) so very often!
Moose, good luck in your mom getting back to better health.
Steve
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