My mom will wake up in the middle of the night really confused about something. Any idea why?

When I would wake up in the middle of night, scared and confused, I had to think what I ate for supper. I kept a log, and sure enough chocolate kept coming to the top of the list. Had to keep my hands off of the chocolate after dinner.

Also I had to change around when I took my meds. That was a challenge, it was my blood pressure pills, I couldn't take Tums within the same hour of taking those pills. If I took the Tums an hour before or 2 hours after, I was ok.

One has to become Columbo.

I agree that a good physical with labs is a good idea. At 80 with hearing loss it could be the first signs of Dementia but...it could be almost anything. Having her get labs done will find out if her numbers in certain areas are low.

Sounds like a sleep disorder to me. Get her doctor involved and a sleep study may need to be ordered.

Your profile states your Mom is:

"...80 years old, living at home with age-related decline, arthritis, depression, diabetes, hearing loss, incontinence, mobility problems, sleep disorder, and vision problems."

I agree with Beatty that you need to get her checked for physical problems first, like UTI, BP, thyroid, vitamin deficiency, dehydration, etc. before any cognitive testing be done.

Rule out any UTI first?
Then wondering if her O2 level drops in the night? Or heart issues?