My Mom's behavior is erratic. Any advice?

JesseBelle and Countrymouse I think you've got it. She wanted to see old friends and have an adventure girls do just want to have fun and I think that is what she is doing. She is very independent and can be cantankerous at times . I quess I just got scared for her but so far she's doing fine. Thanks for your input,helped to put good perspective to what is going on.

Did she say why she wanted to go on this trip (I think trip might be the operative word…)? Just for the fun of it, or did she come up with some bizarre-sounding justification that made it "necessary"?

JessieBelle could be right - maybe she's out for kicks and only got mad when people started pouring cold water on it. But if she was giving you some story about how it was crucial she did this, and nothing must be allowed to stand in her way, vital mission etc etc etc - well, then it would yell "psychosis."

Hope your brother fields her successfully and all is well.

My wife has very similar behavior. She has Moderate Cognitive Impairment. May or may not be early Alzheimers. Primary care doctor diagnosed her with depression and some bipolar disorder. She is now on and antidepressant (venlafaxine) and a mood pill (lamotrigine). Vast improvement!

heydeb, she may be manic as you said. I read a while back that sometimes people with depression can become manic when they take antidepressants. It may be that these people are bipolar, with the depression predominating, so when they take antidepressants, it shifts them into mania. I am way out of my comfort zone talking about bipolar disorder, so I don't know if what I read was correct. What your mother is doing does seem to fit with mania. I hope you'll be able to figure it out in case she needs some help.

OTOH, if she just wants to enjoy life and is still able to drive well enough, I would say let her enjoy. Sometimes older people just want to have fun. (Sounds like a good song for Cyndi Lauper now that she's getting up in years.)

She may go MIA so you want to notify the troopers in both states IMMEDIATELY if she misses the rendezvous. If she has a cell phone or OnStar they can locate her very quickly.

Unfortunately I cannot do that, she is on her way to AZ. already in N.M. and has arranged to meet my brother in AZ. to drive her back to ARK. I'm afraid to upset her but will have to go to ARK.( I am in AZ.) when she gets back to evaluate and speak to her DR. not much I can do now.

Dementia in bloom! Do not allow her to drive another inch. If she becomes combative or assaultive, you call 911 and have her hospitalized for a full neuro-psych evaluation. You be doing her a favor and saving lives on the road.
Call her MD Monday AM and find out what you can about her health.