Old woman lost at Santa Fe and Callao for at least 17 years

[RogerTotal]

I came to Argentina for the first time in 2008. An old woman asked me for "ayuda" at the corner of Santa fe and Callao. I was very happy getting to speak spanish and help an old woman at the same time!! Unfortunately after speaking to her for a few minutes I could see there was nothing happening behind her eyes, she was brain dead, had no idea what she was asking ayuda for, with dementia or some other disease

I saw her off and on for many years after that, then a long period without seeing her

So 2 weeks ago and everyday since then I've talked to her at the corner of Santa fe and Callao between 12 lunch and 2 p m. I can only describe her as looking extremely old and thin. She is obviously being supported because no one could survive 17+ years in her mental statel. But how does that work, is she from a rich family who let her free range for a few hours each day, then she returns home? But why is she so thin, don't they feed her

 

[mageesa]

I came to Argentina for the first time in 2008. An old woman asked me for "ayuda" at the corner of Santa fe and Callao. I was very happy getting to speak spanish and help an old woman at the same time!! Unfortunately after speaking to her for a few minutes I could see there was nothing happening behind her eyes, she was brain dead, had no idea what she was asking ayuda for, with dementia or some other disease

I saw her off and on for many years after that, then a long period without seeing her

So 2 weeks ago and everyday since then I've talked to her at the corner of Santa fe and Callao between 12 lunch and 2 p m. I can only describe her as looking extremely old and thin. She is obviously being supported because no one could survive 17+ years in her mental statel. But how does that work, is she from a rich family who let her free range for a few hours each day, then she returns home? But why is she so thin, don't they feed her

Very mysterious; has she never mentioned anything in the course of these talks you have?

My mother has a bit of dementia and sometimes sideways questions elicit more information, like "where did you eat breakfast", vs. "what did you have for breakfast" (which my mother would never remember). You could ask what barrio she grew up in, what is the name of her child (and if that child lives nearby), how long she has lived in that neighborhood, things more in the past that might get her 'in gear'. Minds are funny things.

 

[LuckyLuke]

But how does that work, is she from a rich family who let her free range for a few hours each day, then she returns home? But why is she so thin, don't they feed her

Very kind of you to take some time to speak with her. Old people can be terribly lonely. Rich, poor, someone is likely letting her take her daily walks and comes to get her when it's time to come home. Almost guaranteed she is a known local in the neighborhood. We have an older gentleman that lives in a doghouse by the church near me and comes clapping through our neighborhood at odd hours asking for clothes. Nobody knows what he does with the clothes, but every now and then we give some.

Old people are thin for all sorts of health reasons, but my first guess would be muscle mass atrophy.