I need to start investing in fancy thank you cards

[missdiane]

We're still on that roller coaster and it's doing loop de loops! Hoo boy.

Got a call from Sis and her husband to talk about the parents and such and evidently Mom is off the rails and making NO sense - I mean she wanted to HUG the BIL and while that was disturbing since she doesn't like him at all, it was kind of funny. They're also concerned about how skinny Dad is and think he's not eating but I assure them that he is, but that Emily's Dad had the same thing where his metabolism was revved up like crazy and he could eat three bowls of ice cream after dinner and still lose weight. They're taking Dad to dinner tonight to confirm (hey, no argument from me!)

Anyway, we couldn't get an answer for her last night and were wondering if they were giving her too much Trazodone but she was seeming drugged at the previous place so unless it's a universal thing, that didn't seem right. When Dad couldn't get her this morning he started to fret so he had me call the facility and they went to her room to have her call me. Maaaaaaan, she is scrambled. She didn't know where she was and then she said Dad was already there "downstairs" (there IS no "downstairs" nor was he there) and then went into some story about being brought to a party with blankets and left there. Uh...no, that didn't happen.

Sis was getting hold of Mom's doc to check on the scripts and dosages but then Emily said she should be checked for a UTI. Huh? I didn't know a UTI can cause delirium. Then I was letting Mom's bestie know on Facebook DM that if she talked to Mom that Mom is way off right now and SHE wondered about UTI.

So I called the facility with my concerns and talked to the head nurse. She said they had been discussing her since they were concerned but since she's new there, didn't know if that was her "normal." I assured them that no, something is very off since while she can be "old person cranky" at times (the nurse laughed at that) that this is way off base for her. So they're going to get her checked out right away.

If some antibiotics can start bringing her back to reality, I need to stock up on thank you cards and stuff.

Comments

[halfmoon_mollie1]

UTIs can cause sudden confusion (also known as delirium) in older people and people with dementia. If the person has a sudden and unexplained change in their behaviour, such as increased confusion, agitation, or withdrawal, this may be because of a UTI.

Happened to my Aunt and to a couple of the residents here.

[missdiane]

I had NO idea it was a thing! I saw that another symptom is decreased appetite and we've been begging her to eat more so she may have been battling the UTI for a while.

It was good to know that the nurses at the new place were already suspecting that something wasn't right with her and I'm very glad I called to confirm their suspicions. Hopefully they can get her on antibiotics asap since it certainly seems like the most likely cause of all this

[halfmoon_mollie1]

I know it hardly seems possible that a UTI would affect the mind...but!!

[missdiane]

Well now we know. Hopefully they can get her patched up. I tried calling just now and no answer but I figure either she's being assessed and/or treated or is still in such a goofy brain fog that she doesn't realize that it's her phone.

[vysila]

I also had no idea UTIs could be so devastating. That was such a good catch by Emily. Fingers crossed the nurses/doctors get this cleared up soon.

The nurses at the new place (at least during the week) sound like they are on the ball.

[missdiane]

Me either! Unfortunately Mom hasn't peed so that they can test it and now they're getting concerned because she's not peeing and will probably have to give her a catheter. Poor thing.

Sis had stopped by the facility to try to check out where they're looking at putting the parents and it was well timed since the doctor had come by to check on Mom and Sis was able to fill him in on her history and usual demeanor. She was also able to answer the phone when Dad called since as I predicted, she had no clue it was ringing for her. Evidently she thought that she had just come from Sweden and was nagging at Dad for not helping her out of the church but saying one of Sis's friends helped her out of the church. o_O

[vysila]

Fingers crossed that all turns out well. She must be dehydrated in addition.

The delirium would be amusing if it weren't so serious.

[missdiane]

Yep, enough so that they were concerned and transported her to the hospital for IV fluids and testing. According to Sis just now, she's already been brought back to the nursing facility.

The previous facility was prettier and had better food but clearly they missed the signs that Mom needed help. This place may be older but they are clearly paying more attention.