I've got something on my mind and all of the internet searches are turning up the same information.  

 

I'll get to the point: We are growing increasingly worried that my mom is in the early stages of Alzheimer's or dementia.  Her memory and decision making skills have been deteriorating for a while now.  Not drastically and frankly the kind of things most attribute to getting older.  It has gotten consistently worse and now she is having bouts of hallucinations.  Dad said nighttime was when she would see and hear things that aren't there, but she has been hallucinating during the daytime hours today.

 

Dad set up an appointment with her general practitioner for Friday.  We're in the process of trying to get her in with a neurologist.  It's looking like the earliest we can get her in there will be mid-February.

 

I'm not looking for official medical advice.  I was just wondering if any of you have had experience with these kinds of things.

Hi Boo Sweetheart....

As you know Tony was diagnosed with vascular dementia before he passed away ...

They did come and do a series of tests ...it seems these tests give them a good idea...That and a scan .

But these all take time ,to wait for appointments...

Tony couldn't tell them what a bird was ..but knew all the prime minister's through the years ..

But he never suffered from Hallucinations.....

Now I do know ....A water infection can cause these symptoms too....

So maybe that's worth asking about ...

 

I'm really sorry your having to worry about this .. Dementia is a very sad illness ...

Please keep us informed once she has seen the Doctor ...

Hugs Buddy ❤

 

 

 

 

@Boo, Doreen is right, A UTI could definitely cause the hallucinations in older folks and its a simple urine test, you can even get the test OTC now but I don't know how reliable those ones are.

My grandma had dementia, she saw my dead uncles but she was well into her disease by then. I also have an aunt with it. She doesn't seem to be hallucinating but she's in the early stages still.

I would for sure even go today to get tested for the UTI. They can get very bad, very fast. It did with my mom on several occasions.

I'll keep you all in my thoughts and hope its that and not Dementia ((hugs))

I agree with Doreen and Jillar, it could well be a UTI, which could be causing these problems, and as said, a urine test will determine it.

I looked after my mother in law for 3 years with vascular and Alzheimer’s, she didn’t have hallucinations, but was very delusional.

praying your Mom doesn’t have this horrible disease. My mother in law had to have a scan and also tests which were memory questions and also draw things like a clock , and put the hands pointing to certain times. 

2 hours ago, Boo said:

I'm not looking for official medical advice.  I was just wondering if any of you have had experience with these kinds of things.

 

I'm sorry to hear this, Boo.  I still have three grandparents living.   One is 102 and was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago.  She is in good care at a very nice retirement facility but it is still rough.

 

My other two grandparents are in their 90's and, until recently, were still living in their house.  My grandmother on that side has recently had instances of hallucinations that sound similar to what you described.  She was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago and was recently moved into a care home.

 

Dementia really sucks.  I wish I had better things to say.  It is good your mom is going to see some doctors and medical professionals.  Hopefully things go ok but I know it is rough.

Sorry to hear about your Mom, Boo. Have neurologist check for Parkinson's disease. 

 

My Mom (87) has Parkinson's which was diagnosed by a neurologist when she was 75. She has recently started to experience hallucinations, mainly at night, but sometimes during the day. We have found, in her case, they occur more frequently when she is dehydrated. She has not been diagnosed with dementia, yet! 

 

 

I am so sorry to hear your mom is struggling right now.  Don't jump to conclusions until she is diagnosed.  In the meantime I will be praying for her  

Thank you all for the advice, well wishes, and support.

 

Wish I had better news to report, but mom had a really rough night last night.  She thought there was a little girl in the house with a dog in a carrier.  She said her brother, who lives down in Georgia, was walking around the house with a flashlight.  I drove down early this morning.  When I walked in she was sitting peacefully in a chair, seemed normal.  Then I asked her what happened last night.  Initially she told the stories of her brother and the little girl with the dog like they were as real to her as anything.  As she continued to talk, it was like the lights came back on.  Like she was realizing that those things didn't actually happen.

 

That gives me some hope.  She has moments where she seems lucid and understands that she's having some issues.

 

Dad made another call to her GP and he has worked her into the schedule to see her this morning.  The doctor wants to start running a battery of tests right away.  Hopefully, the picture will start to become a bit clearer soon.

Glad your mom's Dr was able to work her in. You're all in my thoughts. Please make sure your dad asks about an UTI. 

Signs of a UTI in seniors:

Confusion, any change in mental status

Agitation or restlessness

Hallucinations

Behavior changes

Falling or unsteady gait

Problems with motor skills

Dizziness

Facial grimaces

A startling number of times, dementia is blamed for these symptoms by healthcare workers instead of connecting these symptoms with a UTI.   Therefore, treatment can be slow to start.

 

https://seniorcarecorner.com/a-common-but-dangerous-infection-in-seniors#:~:text=Signs of a UTI in seniors%3A 1 Confusion%2C,with motor skills 7 Dizziness 8 Facial grimaces

Jillar is right Boo...

I can only mirror what she has said .....

What a relief her Doctor is going to see her more or less right away ....

Pray it's something ....Medication can put right ...

It must be distressing for your Dear Mum ,as well as family members ...

Please keep us updated 

Sending a Hug ❤❤ 

The Quit Train comes through again.

 

Mom's doctor sent her to the hospital for a full series of tests.  They did find some blockage in an artery that is not an emergency at the moment, but putting a stent in at a later date is an option.  What they did find and are in the process of treating as I write is an issue with her kidneys.  The doctor at the hospital wants to get her kidneys cleared up and then evaluate her further.  Mom has been admitted to the hospital for at least a couple of nights.  They are giving her antibiotics and have her on an IV.

 

I don't want to celebrate too early, we're still in wait and see mode right now.  However, I feel far more optimistic about mom's situation now than I did earlier in the day.

 

I was focusing strictly on possible neurological issues before several of you mentioned a urinary tract infection as a possible cause.  The riders on this Train are a damn good group.  Thanks.

Oh that's wonderful news @Boo,  thank you for the update 🤗

This is good to hear Boo. I'm glad the Doctor was able to get her in on short notice.

This is great news .....

Once they stablize your Mum with Antibiotics ,there should be a big difference ....

She is getting the best help now....

Sounds like her Doctor was on the ball ....

Thank you Sweetheart for keeping us updated ❤

 

9 hours ago, Doreensfree said:

This is great news .....

Once they stablize your Mum with Antibiotics ,there should be a big difference ....

 

I've been keeping in touch with dad all day.  Mom is not at 100%, but she's doing much better than she was.

 

I'm heading down to the hospital soon; visit with mom and maybe give dad some relief.  He said something about "these damn masks make my glasses fog up" and he's convinced that what they call roast beef in the cafeteria is actually just the sole off of an old shoe with a little bit of gravy on it.  I think the old man needs a good nap.

Thanks for the update Boo..

Good news ,your Mum is already showing improvement.....

Your Dad sounds like a character.....He will feel drained ...and will need a good night's sleep 

Hugs to all ❤️

So glad your mom is doing better @Boo, maybe bring your pop a hamburger! 🤗

Mom is doing much better now.  She came home from the hospital yesterday and has been getting some much needed rest.  It was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for a while there.  She was showing great improvement, then on Friday night things kind of peaked.  The hallucinations came back.  One of the nurses said something about "crossing the threshold."  I guess when you have a bunch of toxins in your body it's fairly normal for things to get bad right before they really start to get better.

 

It wasn't a laughing matter, but I received a stern lecture from my mom about not talking to my grandparents enough.  She wanted me to call her dad.  I told her I couldn't reach him.  My grandfather on mother's side passed away in 1982.  She shook her head disapprovingly and asked: "how long's it been since you talked to your grandfather?"  I told her it had been awhile.  She concluded: "well I guess you can't be bothered...it's no wonder you don't have a good relationship with him."

 

Saturday went much better and it was determined that she could go home on Sunday.  She has been in bed all day today.  

 

My sister is staying at mom and dad's house for a couple of days.  She updated me on dad's current state: "slightly less cranky than before."  That's a win for him.

Aww...

Thank you  Boo for a update ...

Your Mum has been on my mind .....

Hoping she continues to make a good recovery ....

Consider your self told off Eh ????

At first I thought that still having a Grandad at your age was Wonderful ....

Then I read further ....

Comfort knowing she is in good hands with your lovely sister ....❤️

 

Thank you for the update Boo, I too was wondering how she was and a little worried when we didn't see you this weekend. Glad she's home now  

32 minutes ago, Doreensfree said:

At first I thought that still having a Grandad at your age was Wonderful ....

Then I read further ....

 

Mom was talking a lot about her parents.  My uncle came up to visit her at the hospital and talking to him seemed to get her back into the current state of things.

 

And just got word from dad that mom is up and moving around.  She ate a bowl of soup and is steady on her feet when she walks.

 

She'll be back to normal in no time.

Wonderful news .....

This is a great sign ...

Sending you all my best wishes ...

How is your Mum today Boo Sweetie 🐸

54 minutes ago, Doreensfree said:

How is your Mum today Boo Sweetie 🐸

 

She's doing good.  Yesterday the good news was that she was up and moving around.  Today the challenge is getting her to take it easy and let others do for her.  Said she didn't want to just lay around all day.

 

She's finding out that daytime TV is awful and she would just as soon be cleaning or cooking.

 

I come from a long-line of stubborn people; Sugar Britches says that explains a lot about me.