We realize what we witness if aging parents lives with us. My situation is a 90 year old. My problem has been….. Parent “Fine” on phone, at hairdresser, at doctor’s office, minimal visitation by one son.
On BAD days, only witnessed by myself and my son who lives here.
YESTERDAY, MAY 20, 2022…….WORST DAY EVER IN 4 YEARS. It began at 7 AM, never stopped until 9 PM…..
I wrote 5 pages of non-stop dementia. This happens every one to 2 weeks, but yesterday was beyond belief.
Many may say….TIME FOR PLACEMENT.
I think it is getting there. Bare with me, just need my attorney appointment to get all the facts.
I own my home with her. So, not cut and dried.
In any event, the hard part…… it doesn’t seem to be Alzheimer’s. She knows me and family.
The hard part, ALL the other people, scenarios, talked about during the course of a bad day.
1) Two Army guys who wouldn’t help her sit up first thing in the morning.
2) Llamas peeking in the windows
3) Dead relatives and others all going out to a restaurant.
4) Pictures painted on walls.
5) Little girl and newborn in our living room.
6) Photoghrapher outside our window taking her picture.
So much more……… My appointment with New Doc 6/2….I will tell her!
Anybody know, does Lewy Body dementia seem like this??
A sudden change in mental status is a medical emergency and should be treated as such.
Can only give you my experience. Not an easy dementia to diagnose in early stage. He said he was aware that these "dreams" weren't real. Was glad to have a diagnosis to explain why he saw the world so different. Were much improved when he was in assisted living and I was handling finances and bills and etc.
Keep a diary.
Write everything.
Then to a basic physical with a U/A for sure. Speak with doc about referral for diagnosis with neuro-psych.
Also all sorts of visual & audio hallucinations & strange beliefs from delerium. This can be from fever/infection. Pneumonia can have sudden onset, as does uti, but others too.
As was noted above, get her checked for a UTI first and foremost, then get the neurological check.
She writes:
"Get her checked for a UTI, Pronto."
"A sudden change in mental status is a medical emergency and should be treated as such."
You should not wait for 6/2. The symptoms you describe are a medical emergency due to the change in mental status. You are exactly right Arimethea, you need a diagnosis. Whether or not it is dementia, a Uti, or something else.
The symptoms you describe could be caused by so many other issues, ranging from schizophrenia, medication caused psychosis, drug abuse, UTI, and other
reasons.
However, the discussion is now the dementia, "as if" any of us could diagnose that from what you have described. "As if" you even stated the diagnosis is dementia. You said "dementia like symptoms" and do not have a diagnosis.
Will you please get back to us, as I am now concerned for your Mom, and you.
My dear mother was good at fooling people as she could carry on a conversation as if nothing was going on in her head but as time goes by it does get harder for them to keep up the acting.
Also, here is another twist to all of this, if this has come on quickly she may have had a stroke....which I recommend taking her into the ER.
Keep in mind that forgetfulness is common in older adults as is with repeating the same things over and over again and it's doesn't mean they have dementia.
My mother's doctors would always ask three questions when I took her to her appointments, What day is this? What year is this and who is the president? if she could answer 2 out of the three it was a good day.