KathyI's profile says that her mother has dementia. Delusions or illusions are common in some types of dementia. In this case I suspect Mom is really hearing actual noises -- the pinging of the heat ducts, branches rubbing the roof, who knows? Or she could be hearing noises that don't exist (audio hallucinations). She doesn't know the source of these noises and she has come up with an explanation that answers that. It may not be possible to talk her out of her explanation of the noises.
I think this needs to be discussed with the doctor who treats her dementia, but it doesn't sound to me like an emergency. It is probably one more symptom of the dementia.
Has she been diagnosed with dementia? If not, please get her to a doctor to get a diagnosis for her problem. 69 may seem young to have dementia, but my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in her early 60's. You need to determine if this is a physical problem or a mental problem. As pstiegman said, if this is a sudden change in behavior, please get her to a ER.
It is very difficult, usually impossible, to talk someone out of a delusion they are convinced of. In general it is best to go along with their ideas, but without encouraging to continue hanging on to them.
You could buy some Mouse-Go-Away powder, (which looks a lot like a package of baby powder with a computer-printed label) and follow the instructions to sprinkle it between the mattress and box spring. This product ensure that any mice leave the same way they got in.
The people on her roof were city inspectors checking for storm damage. Some of them had to go into the attic to check for leaks. They are done now.
In other words, don't argue about the truth of her delusions. Let her know that you are on her side and that she can count on you for understanding, compassion, and solutions.
Then I suggest giving her something else to listen to or something to muffle the usual night noises that she in misinterpreting. This could be a white noise box, a fan, a radio, or a CD player with disks of songs from her youth.
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I think this needs to be discussed with the doctor who treats her dementia, but it doesn't sound to me like an emergency. It is probably one more symptom of the dementia.
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You could buy some Mouse-Go-Away powder, (which looks a lot like a package of baby powder with a computer-printed label) and follow the instructions to sprinkle it between the mattress and box spring. This product ensure that any mice leave the same way they got in.
The people on her roof were city inspectors checking for storm damage. Some of them had to go into the attic to check for leaks. They are done now.
In other words, don't argue about the truth of her delusions. Let her know that you are on her side and that she can count on you for understanding, compassion, and solutions.
Then I suggest giving her something else to listen to or something to muffle the usual night noises that she in misinterpreting. This could be a white noise box, a fan, a radio, or a CD player with disks of songs from her youth.