Memory

72 year old woman I diagnosed with incipient dementia several years ago. Got a second opinion from the Geriatric Specialists at the big medical center who, in my opinion, missed the diagnosis and labeled her as having "mild cognitive defect". Meanwhile, we see her routinely, as she needs B-12 shots and lab tests for hyperlipidemia. At each office visit she looks at me earnestly and says that she is "worried about her memory" and begins to run down a long list of questions and ideas. She always has a new memory "work book" or new text on memory from the book store or library. She tells me that all of this has her "depressed" and she is "worried about the future".

If I point out to her that we've had this exact discussion before she either becomes defiant or bewildered. She vaguely remembers the second opinion, but dismisses it by saying that they told her she did not have dementia but "since then" she has begun to notice some memory issues.

I encourage her to continue with her mental exercises, to follow as much of the advice in the workbooks as she can and not to feel guilty if she feels she can't measure up to what the work books are asking of her.

I am always exhausted when she leaves.