My Mom seems to be having delusions. Is that a sign of dementia?

Poor you! I don't understand why they won't go to the doctor! How is her blood sugar?

If she won't cooperate or go to the doctor, and she seems well otherwise, what can you do? Maybe stop the Lipitor with the doctor's permission to see what happens in a week? Can you use emotional blackmail, letting her know that you had a vision that something is wrong, or an angel told you to take her to a doctor?

It will either get better or get worse. So time may help you figure out what to do. Sorry. God bless you both.

No I watch her pretty close on things like that. She hasn't had any pains lately either. I can tell when she don't feel well. She is very physically healthy for her age 75. All she takes is a multivitamin, diabetes pill and Lipitor. It's just her mental state that has me worried.

Yes, there is definately something wrong here. It could be something like a urinary tract infection. A UTI can make some people have delusions for some reason. I would have her checked out.

Humor her and deflect as Jeannie said. Can you see any signs of illness. If she will not let you take her temperature, does she feel hot to the touch, sweating, red faced. Sleeping more or less, not eating, less able to do things like personal care? Does her urine have a strong or "fishy" small. How about her underwear
can you bring yourself to give that a sniff. Can you trick her into the Dr's office.
Ask her to go with you as you have to see the Dr and later will be shopping, having lunch whatever she enjoys. prep the Dr before hand and go in alone then have the nurse go out and tell her you need her to hear what the Dr is saying to you. Once she is in the Dr can use his sternest voice and play God and see what he can do with her. She may be refusing because she has a fear of the medical profession in general and what they may want to do to her. You know how these old wives tales get around. Good luck. If it does not work at least you have tried and will have to leave it up to the Almighty or a time when a visit to the ER becomes urgent. We are all crazy at some time or another.

God will heal her if there is anything wrong -- has this been a long-standing religious belief she holds? If so, I don't know what you could do but accept it. If this is a new "excuse" she uses, then tell her God works through us, and doctors have special training and skills to do God's healing. It is really sad that you can't get her to cooperate with a medical exam, because it is quite possible she has something that could be fixed.

Regardless of what is causing her delusions, how you treat her regarding them is pretty much the same. To her that event or that visitor she is expecting are very real. Of course you are crazy for doubting her! Get into her world, where these things are very real. "Oh Mom! Didn't anyone call you to tell you the meeting had to be called off? I'm sorry you didn't know. Since you are all dressed up, should we go out for a sundae?" "I can't imagine why your friend isn't here by now. Is it possible she gave you the wrong date? You know she can be a little scatter-brained." Don't argue with her. Don't tell her she is wrong. Try to distract her into some other activity.

Good luck!

Well she could have something as simple as a bladder infection. That can cause strange behavioral changes in the elderly. If she won't go to the doctor, there's not much you could do. Would she let a visiting nurse come see her? Maybe get a urine sample?

She will not go to the Dr. We have been down that road too. God will heal her if there is anything wrong. And as far as she is concerned there is nothing wrong with her. We are all crazy. :)

I try to let it go, but when she is waiting to go somewhere and thinks we are doing something and I tell her no we are not or no they are not coming today etc... she gets mad at me and says that I am crazy.

Carol gave great advice. See the Dr.

And try not to argue with your mom about these things. Just let them go. It does no good to try and convince someone that what they're saying is just not true. It will frustrate and anger your mom and raise your stress level as well. Let her believe it.

Yes, this seems to be a sign of either medication problems, an infection or dementia. She needs to see a doctor for a complete physical and likely a dementia specialist for a diagnosis. Please let us know how this works out. We're here to support you.
Carol