Alzheimer's or age-related memory loss?

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hello... I am concer.ned about my moms health lately. She wont see a doctor so im hoping to get some direction. Briefly her symptoms are ... Fatigue, difficulty sleeping due to over all body pain. Yesterday she wet herself while gardening. She said she was unaware it happened until after it happened. It wasnt a little bit but allot of urine . l know these symptoms are vague but if anyone can give me some feedback I would be very grateful. Oh yeah... My mom is 79 byrs old. Also my family believes she has the begonning stages of alheimers but were not sure. anyway, thats about it. Thanks

The elderly are usually more prone to fatigue as compared to younger adults. The fatigue could be caused by a lot of disorders like vitamin B12 deficiency. If she has unexplained body pains (pains even if she is not doing anything during the day), then she may have fibromyalgia or other pain syndromes. As for the incontinence, there are also several causes. Urinary tract infection is one consideration. Some women will have urinary incontinence as one gets older because the urinary sphincter (muscle in the urethra, passageway of urine, that controls urine flow) will not be as efficient. Regardless, she needs to be seen by a doctor. If you are worried she is starting to have Alzheimer’s, her cognitive and memory function should be assessed by a doctor to determine if she does have Alzheimer’s or just age-related memory loss. In other words, you will have to convince her, one way or another, to see the doctor. I do hope I have enlightened you somehow and take care always.