﻿T:My mom: Shoplifting and suspected Alzheimer’s	
Q:I hope you are all doing fine and first and foremost,  thanks for reading this.  
This is a very sensitive topic for me.  
 My mom is <age> and she was caught shoplifting at a supermarket <day>.  
 The supermarket manager decided not to press charges.  
 My mom has done this in the past but when we where all at home (we were a family of <num>) and during financial distress,  when she was around <age>.  
 She actually received therapy and improved and stopped shoplifting,  as far as we know.  
 Fast forward to <day>,  and this happened again.  
 I believe this was triggered by stress since my oldest brother decided to move back to her house and she doesn't want him there.  
 I feel that she has no need to to do this since we provide for her food and her fridge is full with groceries.  
 We also suspect Alzheimer since she has been insulting her daughters (me included) for no apparent reason,  plus forgetting little things here and there.  
 My grandmother also had Alzheimer.  
 We are worried and decided that she needs to see <professional_practitioner> (to assess if she has Alzheimer) plus a <proffessional_practitioner> to start treatment.  
 What else can we do for her? I'm so worried that this may happen again and she may end up arrested or in a very difficult situation.  
 At least she is not living on her own which is a relief even though her current situation is very stressful for her.  
 Thanks for reading and any advice is greatly appreciated! 	A:Hi <name>, I'm so sorry you and your family have to go through this.  
 Not long before my father passed away he was showing signs of Alzheimers.  
 He didn't recognize common things like a camera.  
 When he was younger he and a friend used to take wedding pictures to make some extra money so he knew cameras well.  
 I think you are doing the right thing by having her examined and to get a diagnosis.  
 It might be something different but stealing things you don't need isn't normal.  
 But if you get a diagnosis then if she does it again you can present her medical records in her defense.  
 Plus the <professional_practitioner> can begin treatment for whatever it is that's making her act this way.  
 I do hope you can settle this quickly for your peace of mind.  
 It's hard to take care of our parents.  
 Been there,  done that.  
  Warmly, <name>:Have you asked her why she is shoplifting? If she can answer you coherently,  it may have to do with an issue that is stressing her out and not be Alzheimer's.  
 The oldest brother may be that issue.  
 It good you're taking the pre-caution of having her see a <professional_practitioner>,  but your post indicates you're making assumptions about her behavior without having talked to her directly.  
 If you ask her and she can't give you a coherent answer,  it's a good thing you have a <professional_practitioner> also checking her out.  
 
