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My mother is 60 years old and just lost her husband (our father) a year ago. She has never been a good sleeper, but has now almost stopped sleeping all together because she is hallucinating. She sees people on the walls, bugs and small creatures on the floor and yells for help in the middle of the night because she sees smoke in her room. She falls asleep everywhere, all the time like while eating breakfast or in the bathroom. She is so convinced there are demons in her house and refuses to see her Dr on the basis that he will think she is crazy. We have been trying to convince her to see the Dr for the last 6 months but she is refusing help. My sister is considering having her committed to a mental health facility against her will, but I think it might make matters worse. I think she suffers from narcolepsy, but she is scared of the sleep clinic so she refuses to see them as well. Does anyone have any advice for me? I am exhausted, worried and extremely saddened by my mother's state of mind. Thank you

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Thank you bookluvr. I hadn't even considered UTI, but dementia is crawling to the top of my list. Seems like everyone agrees that we (the kids) will have to make the decision for her. I just hope we get to the bottom of this soon. Thank you so much for the advice.
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If you can't get her to see a doctor, then your sister has the right idea. I'll bet she's the oldest. They're always such Smarty Pants. ;)
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Thank you MaggieMarshall. She is the oldest and I understand her point of view. I am however the more emotional one, also worrying how mom will respond to us if she feels "betrayed"
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Blame it on sis.... But seriously, your mom will not go to the clinic unless she's in so much pain that the only way to stop it is to go to the ER. My dad went through that last year. I knew he had pneumonia but he refused. Only when his left lung was almost filled with fluid that it made it so difficult and painful for him to breathe. Only then he asked me to call 911. The 2nd time he went, he was bleeding profusely down there where the catheter connected to his body and he was shivering so badly and intense pain. He was easily persuaded for us to call 911. I think your mom is the same - only severe pain and bloody bedding would change her mind.

With the hallucinations, it could be UTI (urinary tract infection) or a combination of UTI and dementia. Hard to say. They might be able to figure out why she's no longer sleeping, hallucinating, etc...
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At only 60, your mother is pretty young to be widowed. It sounds as if her bereavement has spiralled out of control, and you and your sister - who of course must still be feeling the loss of your father very deeply, my sympathies - are not likely to be emotionally in the best shape to help her get out of it. Your sister is correct: if your mother won't consult a doctor voluntarily, you'll have to make it happen, the two of you together, before she becomes even more seriously ill. Don't feel bad about it. You're not condemning her, you're saving her. Also, you don't really have any choice. Wishing you luck, and your mother a good recovery.
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