wondered if my neighbor has dementia

today, she was doing laundry and when she was going to take the elevator to her apt, she was saying stuff like wheres the elevator? it was right where she was near the washer and dryer but she was walking the halls looking for it, I told her where it was, this was the same person that ran over my foot with her scooter which makes me wonder if she forgot to look down before she started moving it. she also drives a car, which makes me wonder if she should since she couldn't even find the elevator and its not like she moved in yesterday either. thought of telling my service coordinator about it. is someone cant even find an elevator when they live there do they have some kind of dementia and who should I tell about it, if anyone?

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Carazaa · F

You are very thoughtful! I would be helpful to her and show you care. And ask her to call you if she needs help, and then if you have a chance share your thoughts with her family (children etc.) They have more power to do something like doctors' appointments, or move her to their home, or nursing home.

TheOnlyTribalChiefRomanReigns · 56-60, M

This is sad because my late maternal grandmother had dementia and couldn't remember simple things such as the hat on her head. I would contact her family or Area Of Aging and get someone to help her.

BizSuitStacy · M

Kind of sounds like she has dementia. Reminds me a little of when one of my elderly neighbors was in her car, stopped in the middle of the street, engine running, and a confused look on her face. I walked up and asked if she was ok. She couldn't remember how to roll down the window or unlock the car door. After several minutes, she finally found the button for the window, and then I was able to unlock the door and shut off the engine. I contacted her daughter who lived close by. Eventually, they had to sell her home and move her into a memory care facility.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

Sadly, if she is still driving you do need to tell someone. At the least, her competence to drive needs to be tested. I stopped my wife driving just as covid started, But we didnt 'inform her" until after it was over that the car sat in the driveway for 2 more years. "Broken down"😷

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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@pearllederman And what about them school crossing guard and the bunch of kids supposed to be safe crossing the road? You have a responsibility here. You are not hiding her keys. You are alerting the right people to check she is safe to have on the road. Of course, maybe her freedom to drive is more important than the lives of others.😷

pearllederman · 61-69, F

@whowasthatmaskedman not sure who I should tell, they might not do anything

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@pearllederman Either the local police, or the DMV.😷

Wiseacre · F

She might've just had a senior moment..how old is she?

pearllederman · 61-69, F

@Wiseacre not sure but she might be about 80

SStarfish ·

Yeah because she might forget where she lives next time 🙁

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