Does my grandmother have Alzheimer's?

Sorry to hear that...

I think the best way you can help her is simply to take her to a specialist (Psychiatrist). The sooner people are diagnosed, the better. There are several conditions that can have similar symptoms. It may be Alzheimer's, but at the same time it could be that she is having poor brain irrigation or something else. Alzheimer's patients get worse over time (it is a degenerative disease). An early diagnose may be able to better up her life quality and also yours, because you'll know exactly what you're dealing with, what to expect and how you can actually help.

Best wishes for you and your grandma.

It does sound a lot like what my grandmother was doing when she was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Do not listen to people telling you "she is just getting old and that's what happens." Your family needs to take her in and have her tested...the sooner the better. The last straw for my family was when my grandmother took a trip that she had taken several times a year for 50+ years and got lost on the way home. She just couldn't remember how to get back to her house, and another time, she almost caught the house on fire. The family had her tested and she had Alzheimer's. There is no cure at this time, but there are medications that can help to slow the progression, so move quickly to save whatever time you can.

Take notes or make videos of the stories that she tells you as you will treasure those later. I wish I would have done that when my grandmother was telling stories of her childhood, and now, in the end stages, she cannot even form a complete sentence :(

Good luck to you! I hope for everyone's sake she doesn't have it, but if she does, at least you didn't just sit and do nothing! :)

It sounds like dementia to me. My father told stories over and over again. I put him on aricept and he was able to live alone for an additional two years. He is now living in a nursing home, hes 93 and we hardly hear those stories over and over again because he forgot most of them. His memories are entertwined with other memories and they are all distorted.

You may want to research some assisted living places if things get any worse.

Good luck. I wish you the best.

It could be the beginning of Alzheimer's disease. My Mom has Alzheimers and your grandma sounds like my Mom.

actually it doesn't sound like alzheimer's, it sounds like depression. It is not uncommon for older people to have difficulty with computers, it is not uncommon for them to have problems with any new skills, it doesn't mean they have alzheimers, it just means they don't really have any true desire to learn. But, not bathing, not eating and not going out would indicate a depression problem. depression can also cause memory lapses and paranoia. She might do well to see her doctor, with you along, to tell him what you are seeing.

It sounds also like schizophrenia, because my grandmother has that and she think people get her stuff,follow her,or people are after her.Well hope she get's better.