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Mostly Independent
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Dementia does not come on suddenly. You described symptoms that frequently come on with UTI's. Call her doctor and get her in to be tested for a UTI and likely get antibiotics. You should not be diagnosing her but you should gain some knowledge of common afflictions that affect older women - and UTIs are near the top of that list.
Really sounds like a UTI or dehydration. Both of those conditions can come on quickly and silently before the symptoms you describe show up. The thing that has worked best for me is to call an Urgent Care Service in my area that does home visits and AL visits. She needs a urine test to culture whatever bacteria is in her urinary tract (if any) and she might need a bag of IV fluids to get her hydrated. They can do that at home. If she is mobile, you can take her to an outside Urgent Care for this. If she can’t or won’t leave the house, try to find a mobile Urgent Care. If all else fails, get her to the ER. I have found televisits with her Primary Care to be pretty worthless to diagnose and treat these conditions since they really can’t prescribe the right antibiotics without a good urine sample. They can’t do an IV over the phone. Re hydration, I have used a mixture of orange Gatorade with her favorite juice to get some electrolytes in her and get her to drink it. She is usually a pretty good water drinker so that helps too.
More than likely she has a urinary tract infection. Elderly brains have a higher propensity of being affected by bacterial infections than others. She should be tested asap. If she won't go in do a virtual visit
Could be a UTI. My mom use to get them all the time and act like your mom. You can by strips at a drug store to test her or just bring her to the doctor and they will test her urine. Also, my mom never had any other usual symptoms.
It could be reaction to tablets - to pain - could be Delirium. Could be caused by dehydration. I dont think Dementia comes over night. I think you need to speak to your mothers doctor. Make sure shes drinking - a lot can be caused by dehydration.
When my husband has very low BP he gets very angry. Can’t even suggest anything are he gets very upset. He ever talks to people or imagery characters. I call it jibber jabber.
Also be aware that talking to imaginary people can be a sign of a serious UTI. I know, first hand, from when my Mom had a severe UTI and she was seeing people and creatures in our house. Talking to them. I thought it was an adverse reaction to a new medication so I took her to the ER. It was a severe UTI. The meds for the UTI were not working. There is an "at home" UTI test you can buy over the counter at a pharmacy. They are called AVO test strips for urinary health. This is just the first step. It is best to go to a lab and have a real urinary test done to make sure. Call his doctor's office and ask if they will fax in an order for the test.
First thing I would have checked is urinary infection. That can cause exactly what you list as symptoms very, very quickly. A complete and total change in awareness, behavior, and communication from one day to the next.
Another vote for UTI and a reminder to keep UTIs top of mind in this population. Don't know about others, but there were several times over the years when Mom would act erratically for a day or two before it suddenly dawned on me that it could be a UTI--like an "ah ha" moment.
Have her B12 level checked. My late husband experienced something similar and I was told to contact Alzheimer’s group for help. After neurologist ordered more blood work we found out his B12 level did not even register. After starting B12 injections he was much better cognitively.
Dear Wgrubb, Please let us know how your Mom's medical issues resolve. So many times folks post their question, but don't let us know the result. I'm hoping it is just a UTI.
Talk to MD. Read about dementia / Brain Changes. Get books, watch You Tubes. Are you jumping to a conclusion that her behavior is due to dementia ? (Why?) - it could be from many other medical needs / reasons ... one as simple as not drinking enough water ... hormone changes ... all kinds of 'reasons'
First step is to contact her MD. Is she on medication? perhaps it needs to be changed.
Your mom could have a UTI. Bladder infections in younger people are usually quite painful so you know you have one, but for some reason frequently the elderly can’t tell if they have a UTI because there is no pain. The UTI causes confusion and strange dementia type of behavior. Have your mom checked and good luck.
Generally, no. Dementia is usually slow and progressive. Cognitive changes that are sudden need to be evaluated. Did she have trouble sleeping, eat/drink something known to cause problems (allergens come to mind), take any medications that can cause this as a side effect...? If the answer to those questions are no, take her to an Emergency Department. She may have an infection or a stroke. In the latter case, time is brain. The sooner she is treated, the better she will be.
Yes, my first response to your question was it very well might be a UTI. Best to get her to an Urgent Care, her Doctor, or the ER. best of luck; keep us updated :-)
Nurse here: Could be UTI. Or another infection. Could be stroke. I'd look into UTI first (urinary tract infection). They're "famous" for this change in status
No, Dementia progresses overtime. Mom could have had a stroke in her sleep. Like said, sugar levels could have spiked. Could be anything. Call her PCP and get her in now. Maybe even take her to the ER.
This is an often overlooked cause of intense mood and personality changes! My mother had trouble with taking her diabetes medication and would forget to eat. Sometimes for days. It was scary how wild and crazy she could get. A neighbour once called me to come see because my mother was ranting and raving in their huge backyard for hours. They knew she didn’t drink but her crazy ranting was so similar to a very aggressive and drunk person. The paramedics were sure it was a stroke until the neighbour took over my mother’s medications and explained her diabetes and severe hyperglycemia and high blood pressure. They were good friends but my mother terrified the poor lady and threatened her with garden shears!
Are you speaking she is going back and forth within a diagnosed dementia or are you speaking of your mom was fine, shopping and cooking and all else and then went suddenly South for no reason? We need more information, but start with a urinalysis here, and speak to your doc. Best of luck.
You'll get a lot of questions about Mom. Guess I'll start. How old is she? Does she live alone, with you, assisted living? I ask this, because it helps to understand the dynamics of people's behavior. Living with you can mean you're personally affected by this. Visiting her at a facility, you're not as exposed to her behavior. Has she been recently hospitalized? There is hospital stay induced "dementia"-from what I've read, temporary. Although that may not always be the case. And the number one question will be-does she have a bladder infection?
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
If she is mobile, you can take her to an outside Urgent Care for this. If she can’t or won’t leave the house, try to find a mobile Urgent Care. If all else fails, get her to the ER. I have found televisits with her Primary Care to be pretty worthless to diagnose and treat these conditions since they really can’t prescribe the right antibiotics without a good urine sample. They can’t do an IV over the phone. Re hydration, I have used a mixture of orange Gatorade with her favorite juice to get some electrolytes in her and get her to drink it. She is usually a pretty good water drinker so that helps too.
Please let us know how your Mom's medical issues resolve. So many times folks post their question, but don't let us know the result. I'm hoping it is just a UTI.
Read about dementia / Brain Changes.
Get books, watch You Tubes.
Are you jumping to a conclusion that her behavior is due to dementia ? (Why?)
- it could be from many other medical needs / reasons ... one as simple as not drinking enough water ... hormone changes ... all kinds of 'reasons'
First step is to contact her MD.
Is she on medication? perhaps it needs to be changed.
Best to get her to an Urgent Care, her Doctor, or the ER.
best of luck; keep us updated :-)
We need more information, but start with a urinalysis here, and speak to your doc.
Best of luck.