It is not uncommon for the elder to stop with the pleases and thank yous when they are aging and losing some of their mobility etc. They become move focused on their immediate needs which you are providing. I would not read too much into it.
I can't say it better- get her checked, don't take it personally, leave the room if you have to, be firm (but loving). Take care of yourself and your own feelings, too.
Your profile says Mom has dementia. This may indeed be an indication that the disease is progressing. Or as Pam says, the disruptions of the holidays may be causing a temporary decline. Or she may be coming down with some of the dreadful bugs making the rounds this time of year.
If it persists or gets worse, mentioning it to the doctor who is treating her dementia makes sense to me.
How to approach it? Whatever is causing this is not a personality defect or a psychological problem. Dementia has physical causes in the brain. Keep firmly in mind that Mother can't help this change in her behavior. She isn't doing it to annoy your or manipulate you. It is something she can't control. Just reminding yourself of that should help you cope.
Don't take the behavior personally.
It may become appropriate/necessary to set some limits, for example to leave the room when her behavior is particularly irksome. But as her behavior declines yours may have to become more obviously loving and tolerant.
Dealing with a loved one who has dementia is a huge challenge. Hang in there!
Yeah pamstegman has given a good comprehensive advice. Take her to an MD in the first place and have her evaluated both medically and psychologically. My mom was also kind of acting abnormal and she was found suffering from dementia, struggled a lot with home care and finally we had to find her a nursing home Prestige Care in Arizona. Now I know taking her to a nursing home was really a good decision. But I don’t ask you to do the same, get her evaluated before making any big decisions. Keep posting on how she is doing.
It could just be that the Holidays have interrupted all her routines, her diet and her regular eating and sleeping habits. If you think it is more than that, get her to the MD and have her checked, and ask about anti-depressants.
Good luck.
If it persists or gets worse, mentioning it to the doctor who is treating her dementia makes sense to me.
How to approach it? Whatever is causing this is not a personality defect or a psychological problem. Dementia has physical causes in the brain. Keep firmly in mind that Mother can't help this change in her behavior. She isn't doing it to annoy your or manipulate you. It is something she can't control. Just reminding yourself of that should help you cope.
Don't take the behavior personally.
It may become appropriate/necessary to set some limits, for example to leave the room when her behavior is particularly irksome. But as her behavior declines yours may have to become more obviously loving and tolerant.
Dealing with a loved one who has dementia is a huge challenge. Hang in there!