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Last wk, mom called long distance sis the wrong name (from photo) I corrected,her.
More things pop up. Today, she thought she was 60; she is 89. She, knew that day before. Forgot the dogs name too. I try to ask her next day to see how she is progressing into dementia. Isn't this okay? I've read alot of stories on here. Appreciate them HUGs Pat

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My mother in law is unable to clean herself properly after incontinece of a bowel movement. She has chronic urinary tract infections. Try and tell a stubborn woman with dementia to wipe from front to back is useless. So she wipes from back to front. The UTI's increase the cost of depends. Her symptoms of UTI's are always: very strong smelling urine, urine incontinece increase, and increased confusion. Sometimes will complain of back pain. Be sure the doctor orders a urine culture with sensitivity. This will give the doctor information which antibiotic should cure the UTI. There are many studies done on the effectiveness of cranberry juice to prevent UTI's. It also works on bacteria in a person's mouth. My MIL is given 3 glasses/day, 1 with each meal. The cranberry juice actually works well on my MIL until her daughter is there and refuses to give it to her (after many requests). Then her UTI cycle starts all over again.
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Thanks all.Found out she has infection.Thing,is she didn't have signs of going too much or burning. HUGS to all!
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Thanks,for infro. on infection.Last,time she had one 6 to 8 months ago;I know the signs.Not,having those right,now.We,are going to Dr.Jan 7th.What;is scary,is the progression.When;she has relapse,I want to see,how bad it is.So,I ask her other names.or questions,to help me know how she,is mentally. HUGS
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Summer and hpygrl are right about an infection. Do have Mom checked.

Your profile says she has dementia. In some kinds of dementia there is loss of short term memory, progressing back in time. First they forget what happened today, last week, maybe this year. And then an 89 year old can lose three decades, and think she is 60! Later she may think she is a young bride. Arguing with these beliefs generally gets you nowhere. Mom is in her own reality now. It is best to try to enter it with her.

Personally, I think little "memory tests" are not a good idea. Yes, the doctors have to do this, but loved ones (LOs) should not have to endure it at home. Often you can get at what you want to know indirectly. Just from the things she is saying you can tell she thinks it is the 1980s, for example. The long-distance sister would have been thirty years younger then. If she is looking at a recent photo, no wonder she is confused. That woman is much older than her daughter!

And LO didn't have that dog when she was 60 -- no wonder she can't remember its name!

In addition to this age regression, some forms of dementia effect the part of the brain that remembers names. Even if LO is mentally in the present, she may not be able to access the data about names. She may recognize the dog but get the name wrong.

Any way you look at it, memory loss is a part of dementia. Your mom has dementia. Try not to let the progression upset you or at least to be calm about it in front of your mom.

A sudden increase in confusion or hallucinations or odd behavior can indeed be caused by an infection. It is important to check that out. It is also possible that this is a progression of her disease.
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There are many elderly who have sudden confusion and sometimes it is linked to an acute infection. Have her checked out. The elderly do not show the same signs as we do with acute infections, i.e. sweating, pain, etc. Sudden confusion can be a sign that something is really wrong.
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Greetings Patfalk,
You would be surprised at the number of elderly people who experience sudden confusion and it can be related to a urinary tract infection. Your mother's doctor should be notified of this sudden confusion and her urine tested. Dehydration should also be considered. Offer more fluids and see if this helps. Good luck!
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