Once she was home from the hospital she forgot she broke her neck and fell again. This time she sprained her ankle. Back to the ER. This time my Dad had her re admitted to the hospital as she needs more care than he or I can give. She had previously had a few days of chronic diarrhea to the point that she didn't have the strength to sit up or get herself off the toilet. Once she got to the ER, she kept saying "But, I don't want to sleep in the garage". In the hospital they found she had an pneumonia and C diff, and was very contagious. Prior to the fall(s) she had lost her short term memory, but other than than could get around the house okay. Now, it seems like she's progressed so rapidly that it's scary. She's been in the hospital for four days and still says she's at a Dr's appointment and can't believe the Dr is running so late! My mom is super sweet and will talk to anyone at anytime. For the past two nights, when my Dad leaves the hospital my Mom get belligerent. She'll yell and cry and it's super hard on him. He's told her numerous times she can come home once she can put weight on her ankle, but she forgets. She's supposed to be transferred to a care facility today. I'm not sure what's happening as it's all transpired so quickly. This disease is so random, and I'm not sure what's going on.. anyone else experience anything like this with a loved one?
A lot of older people, even those who don't already have Alzheimer's, will get very confused in the hospital, this is common enough that there is a name for it - hospital delirium or hospital psychosis. Pain and infections, disruptions in routine, being in an unfamiliar place are all triggers for agitation and difficult behaviours. These changes may improve once she is feeling better but she may never return to her former baseline.
Anyway, she had a serious fall where she hit her head. 911 was called and Mom stayed in the hospital for a couple of days. Doctor said Mom should have caregivers, but Mom refused as she said that my Dad, also in his 90's could take care of her. Oh dear, we have a problem in the room.
Couple weeks later, another serious fall, again she hit her head. This time it was a major brain bleed which accelerated my Mom into late term dementia. Thus she couldn't remember how to stand or walk, or even take care of herself. And she started with the very strange tall tail stories, that weren't real. Mom never could go home, she lived in long-term-care.
Oh yes, she use to get angry at my Dad thinking he was leaving the "hotel" [her long-term-care] without her to go on the bus to go sight-seeing.
hope you and dad can get some rest in the days ahead
if there are financial resources then I might suggest hiring a sitter for a few hours to help mom adjust to the facility, however c-diff is very contagious and she's likely being kept fairly isolated
please let us know how things go
I am sorry your family is going through this.
Hugs!