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The verbal attacks have occurred about 4 times now, during 4 different visits for her P.T. A hired Care Giver and myself have both tried to get her to stop. I was just there to schedule her next appointment, and the person has asked that I speak to Mom, before the person files a grievance with her employer. Anybody have any suggestions for me?

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Sounds like she may be in pain and angry about not having her full independence she is used to and does not how or want to express it any other way. If she has been argumentative all of her life, her injury may just add fuel to the fire. She is not happy, for whatever reason, or is happiest when everyone around her in miserable. If she is not careful, she will alienate everyone and end up alone which will increase her resentments and increase your guilt.
I agree that it sounds like she verbally attacks that one person because she may have felt slighted or wronged in some way. If she has been this way for years, it didn't take much to trigger a defense mechanism and lash back. It may have only been something she perceived as an injustice toward someone else she heard in gossip. She may not remember what it was just that she resented it and the employee that was involved. Maybe an generic apology by that employee, if they are willing, will end the perceived feud. You may have to switch agencies. If not, I wish you luck, you have your hands full.
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I guess I would go along with the idea of letting the housekeeper know to stay out of the way. I would emphasize that your Mom has dementia and you are SO VERY sorry she is acting like this but you can't control her behavior.

Good luck.
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Mom has been a very good patient and some of the staff helping to take care of her, were fighting over who would be the one to get to take care of Mom. The person she is venting on is a housekeeper for the building, and she is a distant relative. I don't know what happened between them. I spoke with a Social Worker yesterday & today, and the Social Worker suggested that I give the person a call each time we come in for Mom's PT appointments. Explain that I don't know why Mom gets so mean with some people and kinda let the person know that we are going to be in the PT area between such and such a time. Mom bit my head off the other night too. My brother and his other half have stopped coming over to help with Mom because of an argument 6 weeks ago. The agreement was my brother would take care of Mom every other week, and that happened the first two weeks. However, the third & fourth week, he would only stay to help until I got home from work, and did not help out during the weekends. I was exhausted and told him..."Thanks for giving a day off this weekend, I needed to go to the bank to get money to pay for medical bills & what's going to happen if I end up in the hospital?" Ever since those words there has been contact between my brother and my Mom, not a phone call at Christmas, not a phone call on Mom's birthday 12/30/13. So there's lots of relationship issues, which are totally out of my control. My brother has been ignoring Mom for years, until her accident, which required 5 1/2 hrs orthopedic surgery. At least he helped for a few weeks. Mom has been sitting home alone for 3 1/2 yrs while I'm at work. My brother & sister didn't not care, no matter how I tried to get them to visit her, or take her shopping with them.

Back to venting on the housekeeper at PT. Does anybody else have any ideas? Her pain is minimal, her PT is very slow and gentle and PT is not hurried or extensive.
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I'm so sorry this is happening. Good luck.
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Duck tape?
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Is this the physical therapist, or somebody who works in the office, such as a receptionist? It is not acceptable either way, but I'm trying to get a clear picture here.

As you've tried to get Mom to stop, has she explained why she picks on this particular person? Did this person "start it" with something your mother perceived as a slight? Does this person remind Mom of someone from her past? It might help to know why she is doing this (or maybe not, but it's worth a shot).

Up until now, has Mom generally been reasonable and polite with store clerks, office personnel, and service people? In other words, is this behavior out of character for her or just a more extreme example of her usual behavior.

Your profile says that Mom has depression. Is she being treated for this? Does she have these angry episodes with other people? Have you discussed this with her treating physician?

Is Mom showing any other cognitive issues? Is she forgetful? Are some of her other responses inappropriate? Is she easily confused?

I don't suppose she is having physical therapy for depression. What are her other impairments? Is she often in pain?

I have no doubt that this is distressing for you as well as for the PT employee. Please provide a little more detail, and perhaps it will ring a bell with another poster.
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What is she saying to the PT person? Is it the same person for each visit? Can they give her someone else, if it has been the same person? PStiegman's suggestions are also good, but I'd start with trying a different PT person.
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Stop the PT. Get the primary physician to prescribe pain meds. Have a neurologist determine if she has dementia and whether or not she should be in a nursing home setting for her rehabilitation.
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