Do Alzheimer's patients develop new personas or does it reset between lucid moments?

[MrDudeMan]

I'm not sure how to google this question even though I've been trying. When Alzheimer's patients progress to the point that they lose most of their former selves but still have lucid moments, does their new set of memories remain continuous or does it reset?

I don't have any experience with this disease other than TV, which is basically worthless. Any thoughts?

 

[Thump553]

There is no "new set" of memories. The earlier stages of Alzheimer's involves memory loss-gets so bad they don't recognize spouse, children most of the time-periods of recall get shorter and less frequent. Later terminal stages-forget to eat, breathe. Not really a matter of lucid stages or any personality changes, but many Alzheimer patients get frustrated and thus crankier than their normal self.

<--- Alzheimer's runs in family

 

[nageov3t]

I live in a 2-family house "with" my 90 year-old great aunt. (she's in the other apartment so she's got her autonomy, but I'm there to check in on her, bring her food, make sure the doors are locked at night, etc)

there's no real personality change other than just being cranky, especially later on in the day. after dinner, I do my best not to run into her unless there's an emergency.

she's never forgotten who I am, but she also sees me nearly every day. we do have the same conversation multiple times/day, though, and in her mind, my mom has been suffering from a cold for like 3 years now. she's also referred to my niece with my mom's name.

 

[MrDudeMan]

I see. The way it's portrayed on TV is that they develop memory set B after beginning to lose set A. I figured that was wrong, but I wasn't sure. Thanks.

 

[sixone]

I see. The way it's portrayed on TV is that they develop memory set B after beginning to lose set A. I figured that was wrong, but I wasn't sure. Thanks.

You shouldn't believe most of what you see on TV.

Seriously.

 

[MrDudeMan]

You shouldn't believe most of what you see on TV.

Seriously.

Thanks. To save you some time, I already know about Santa and the Easter Bunny.

 

[sixone]

Thanks. To save you some time, I already know about Santa and the Easter Bunny.

Oh, good. I was dreading that conversation.

 

[who?]

What shows have you seen this on?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

What shows have you seen this on?

Yeah, this doesn't sound familiar at all.

Alzheimer's patients seem to me more like they're stuck in a loop. (IANADoctor, tho.)

 

[nanette1985]

I'm not sure how to google this question even though I've been trying. When Alzheimer's patients progress to the point that they lose most of their former selves but still have lucid moments, does their new set of memories remain continuous or does it reset?

I don't have any experience with this disease other than TV, which is basically worthless. Any thoughts?

I have watched elderly relatives with Alzheimers thru the years. I've never known any of them to progress to that point and still have lucid moments. It's a one-way trip.