Your loved one has dementia and has been doing okay at home with care several times a week. In the last week it’s been noticed that mom has forgotten to take her medications, her appetite is decreased and she’s now rolling around the house in a wheelchair. While these separately may not appear significant, together they indicate a major change. A doctor appointment is necessary to screen for a urinary tract infection. If there hasn’t been a fall, investigate why a wheelchair is now necessary. Loss of appetite can be related to issues of pain or increased depression. It’s important to catch all of these indicators early in order to stop further declines. Your primary care doctor may not be able to address all of these and you may need specialists from different disciplines. Don’t accept the answer that “this is just the way it is”. It’s not. These changes can be investigated and addressed with the proper expertise.
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