My Mom (92) has dementia and normally eats (well) and sleeps. Yesterday she took on a new personality. Advice?
She ate but did not want to and sleep. She was quite witty and chatty. She kept hearing "the baby" cry. Is this another phase of her illness. Cynthia S.
Dementia patients will hear, see, smell, and feel things that are not there. You do need to call the doctor to report it as an auditory hallucination though. It could be a sign of a urinary tract infection that is easily tested for and treated.
It could mean a change in meds is needed.
It could also mean that brain changes have happened and mom can't process information as correctly as before. If so, all you can do is go along and respond in ways that keep her calm. "Oh that poor baby. It must be teething."
From what you described it sounds like dementia. However, if she becomes upset or agitated over this baby that she hears or if this imaginary noise keeps her awake she should see her Dr.
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You do need to call the doctor to report it as an auditory hallucination though. It could be a sign of a urinary tract infection that is easily tested for and treated.
It could mean a change in meds is needed.
It could also mean that brain changes have happened and mom can't process information as correctly as before. If so, all you can do is go along and respond in ways that keep her calm. "Oh that poor baby. It must be teething."
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