Does anyone know anything about potassium or ammonia levels in the elderly?

Ketosis from either diabetes or starvation can have an odor that might be like ammonia, but don't sit around trying to diagnose at home. Acute or sub acute unresponsiveness is a medical emergency. They may ask you why you waited "a few days"! Please let us know what you find out and I hope they can help you and Mom!!

I agree, call 911 and get her help. It could be any number of issues from heart to stroke to thyroid to electrolytes. Only doctors with lab work can evaluate.

Please get her to a ER immediately. MY elderly mothers problems all started from an undetected UTI which became septic and turned into an E Coli infection which in turn her liver became cirrhotic. Now from that problem her ammonia levels have been an issue

As a nurse, stop wasting time and get her help. Dial 911. Her blood pressure is dangerously low, no pressure, no blood flow to the heart, death follows if you do not get help.

My 87 year old mother had one delusion and short term memory loss and I took her to a neurologist for testing. She had high ammonia levels which cause symptoms of dementia. Her liver tests were normal and her PC Dr said some people just have that and it can be hereditary. She is on lactulose to help flush it from her system. No more delusions but it didn't help her memory issues. She is on namenda and a low dose of aricept and she is doing very well.

Check with her doctor - seems it could be kidney related. Info here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003058.htm

My Mothers breath smells like Ammonia.....What does that mean?????

Many medications the older folks take especially for heart issues (like diuretics) can and will alter potassium and other chemistry. Too much or too little is not good.
Elder UTIS are very common and can present like dementia. Call her doc and get her into be checked today. Good luck....

I would get her to the ER or to a doctor! My mom has low potassium but it has more to do with her blood pressure than anything. I would get a medical opinion.

Interesting, my mother has been about the same. I just had her blood checked and her potassium was high, so they are testing again??

Call 911 and take her to ER; her electrolytes may be out of balance due to UTI or for some other reason.