Can dementia progress quickly?

Regular follow ups with a neurologist are probably a good idea, every 3 months. I would also ask the pharmacist about the meds she is on for possible drug interactions. Please understand that the grief she is experiencing will affect her for a while. The anniversary of his death will be particularly hard.

Jack, if in any of your mother's falls she had hit her head, that will speed up dementia if there is a brain bleed.

My Mom went from being fairly sharp for someone of 98 to late stage dementia within a couple of weeks due to fall that caused major head trauma. Scans showed a current brain bleed and also a brain bleed that was healing, a fall with hitting her head earlier on.... which I didn't know about.

Stress can also make one not think clearly. I remember when my Dad had his heart attack, my Mom was in denial that it was a heart attack.... heavens she didn't want anyone to know what happened, otherwise the neighbors might think she wasn't a good wife taking care of her husband.... [sigh]. Mom didn't want nurses or physical therapist in the house, as the neighbors might wonder about the strange cars in the driveway.

Thank you for answering. Actually my father hadn't died. He is 83. The doctors said he is a walking miracle. I stayed with mom a good bit while dad's hospitalization and recovery and rehab went on. This is when I saw how my mom had a lot of anxiety and childlike symptoms. But since July she has made a tremendous change for the worse. The mumbling really aggravates my dad. The caregiver and myself try to keep them apart Just didn't know if this fast progression is normal

Thank u for the answer. I plan to take her to the doctor. Once again I truly appreciate your input. I am really all they have. My dad is leaving everything up to me. I have cried a good bit. My mom is changing so heartbreakingly fast.