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At first I thought dementia was just part of getting older. Now she can't remember that we live in the same town. I telephone her daily and visit. at least once per week. I am disabled or would visit more. Recently she asked me if it was dark yet where I live. She is never unpleasant, just horribly confused. She sits in her room, won't read and avoids phone calls from friends and family. Please advise.

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ER. If this was sudden onset especially.
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How long have you been seriously worried about her? And how often does she see her MD? If she pops in every couple of months or so for a once-over, he wouldn't necessarily notice quite significant changes because they wouldn't naturally come up as part of the exam and anyway she'd be on good form, making an effort to concentrate.

I agree with Babalou - if you would call this a sudden or marked change in her, get her seen at once. If you're not sure, call your mother's GP and explain your worries, and don't be so polite that you don't spell out very clearly the changes you have noticed.

And if you are confident it can wait, still make sure that you or another advocate go with her to her next appointment. I have seen my mother lie through her teeth to her lovely long-time GP - you should have seen his face when I told him what was really going on.
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Thank you all for your concern. She injured her back and since she was sitting in her lounge chair and sleeping a lot, I didn't see how bad her confusion was. Now after a month, a cat scan that shows no permanent spine damage, she seems worse mentally. I will take the next step and find her a geriatric spec.
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Also get her checked for a urinary tract infection (UTI). Those are very common in elders and can cause all kinds of confusion and even hallucinations.
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Any pain relief? Codeine (in its various guises) can do disagreeable things to an elderly brain, for example. Glad you're whisking her off for investigation, anyway; hope it proves helpful.
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I would take her to the E.R. My mom's Dr. does suspect Dementia with her, but she refuses treatment. He said take her to E. R. You tell them she has mental issues & they refer her to the mental professionals. My mother lied when being interviewed & still has gotten no treatment. Perhaps your mom isn't as uncooperative as mine.
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She needs to see a doctor who specializes in the elderly which is a gerontologist.
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