What does it mean when your 81 year old mom spends a good majority of her day in bed 'reliving' her life and the giving vivid examples?

This is called "rumination". There's meds that help!

You might want to add in a neurologist and/or a geriatric psychiatrist, if you can get her to those appointments.

They can help with the dementia diagnosis or treatment for the depression in way more specific ways than her GP can.

Best wishes.

she hasn't been dx as having dementia or Alzheimer but neurologist said she had early signs of it. she's going to her primary doc next week, I'm going to the appointment, so will ask for them to check that. ever since the doc told her she had early signs of alzheimer (feb of this year) she has steadily gone down hill...always sleeping, depressed, doc told her she couldn't drive anymore - it's like she is giving up.

thanks for responding.

It could mean that your Mom’s dementia could have entered the next stage.

If it’s brand new behavior, it could be a UTI.

Has your mom been seen by a doctor recently?