"Two years ago, I noticed changes in my friend's ability to carry on conversations and her lack of awareness of current events. After COVID's isolation, she and her husband seldom left their house, and her husband spent more time on his computer. My friend's calls to me became more frequent and repetitive even though she had no news or reason to phone. She repeated the same three or four stories and often within a five-minute span."
"I expressed my concerns about cognitive issues to her. She proudly reported that she was especially healthy, took no medications and came from a family who lived long lives. She thought she was fine. We have always lived in different states, so I reached out to a niece and expressed my concerns about her aunt. The niece phoned her and said I made contact to check up on her. The niece sent me a text that she spoke with her aunt and she seemed just fine."
A 73-year-old friend observed declining conversational ability and reduced awareness of current events in a long-standing friend after COVID isolation. The friend began making frequent, repetitive calls, repeating a few stories within minutes, and denied any problems, citing good health and family longevity. The concerned friend contacted a niece, who reported the aunt seemed fine and treated the contact as a check-in. The friend reacted with vitriolic anger, prompting the concerned friend to cut contact. Reaching out to the friend and to family is an appropriate first step. The Alzheimer's Association recommends alerting the person to observed changes and contacting someone closer; such conversations can provoke shame or defensiveness.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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