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My mom lives in Pittsburgh, PA. She has had memory problems for a while; the MRI indicated mini strokes. Her dementia has gotten significantly worse since her dog died. Do you have any referrals or suggestions how to determine how much care she needs?

Many times we see memory loss and confusion increase when a person experiences a traumatic event, injury or illness. And, yes, the death of a pet is traumatic. Your Mom should be re-evaluated by her physician, preferably a specialist in older adult care and dementia. Let the doctor know what is happening. It may be that in addition to the mini strokes, she also has Alzheimer's disease and needs one of the Alzheimer's medications. It may also be that she needs an antidepressant, or anti-anxiety medication. You don't say whether or not she lives alone. If she does, this is the time to start considering other living options.

To learn about resources in the Pittsburgh area, contact the Alzheimer's Association at 100 West Station Square Drive, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, Local Phone Number: (412) 261-5040.

You are also welcome to contact my organization, Alzheimer's Arkansas at (800) 689-6090. We can offer many practical suggestions, as well as information about support groups and educational workshops here in Arkansas.

Phyllis Watkins

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