DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m worried that my mom is losing her memory. She is in her late 80s, and I know this happens to many people as they grow older. She has aged a lot in the last year and a half, and one side effect has been that she forgets things -- important things. The other day, she forgot she was supposed to order food for herself because my sister would not be coming by to bring her a meal. The evening had been planned, but my mom totally forgot and was sitting at home hungry. We figured it out that same evening, but it was concerning. Little things like this have been happening a lot. My mom lives in a retirement community, so there are people to look out for her, but what else can we do? -- Forgetful Mom, St. Louis
DEAR FORGETFUL MOM: Have your mother’s memory checked by her internist. There are tests for dementia that will let you know the severity of her memory loss. With her doctor’s support, you can learn what her limitations are today and how to support her. For many elders, memory loss is common. The question will be what the severity is of your mother’s memory loss and whether she needs a new level of care to support her basic needs. Partnering with her doctor will help you figure out next steps.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)