Did you mention to her that you didn't think it was appropriate? If not, why? Her reaction might tell you a lot.
Be aware for other signs of - whatever. Sometimes it's not the individual quirks but the aggregate quirks that tell us what we need to know about our LOs.
At the age of 97 I am venturing to guess that her brain is not all that "right on," unless the Dr. meant for her age. Her behavior at your community room is not all that strange and you certainly can't say that because of what she did that she has dementia. Sounds like she was just checking things out. Just enjoy your mom and her many quirks, because at 97, you know her time here on earth is very limited.
Looking for something? Wanting to see what was available?
Actually sounds like something I would do at my brother's facility. In fact, I did. They had a snack room and I was curious, as to whether they marked containers, as to what was available and etc. Hee hee, but I AM 80.
Anyway, I would start with asking her why she was casing out the supplies.
Were you actually at the doctor's appointment with your Mom when they assessed her brain as "right on"? Or did she go alone and then come home and tell you this? Ask her what kind of test she took and what her score/result was. If she can't or won't tell you this she probably never had such a test, or did and did not do well on it.
Or, it is possible she has a UTI which would "suddenly" cause her to have strange behavior. It you suspect a UTI, it needs to be treated with antibiotics, so please take her to her Doctor or Urgent Care for testing.
If she' resistant to going you could tell her a "therapeutic fib" that her primarry doctor wants her to come back to discuss something else or for routine bloodwork, whatever story works. Once there discretely pass the staff a note saying who you are and to please test her cognition and also for a UTI. At this appointment please request the HIPAA Medical Representative form and have your Mom designate you as her MR so the doctor can tell you her test results with her having to be present.
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Be aware for other signs of - whatever. Sometimes it's not the individual quirks but the aggregate quirks that tell us what we need to know about our LOs.
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Her behavior at your community room is not all that strange and you certainly can't say that because of what she did that she has dementia. Sounds like she was just checking things out.
Just enjoy your mom and her many quirks, because at 97, you know her time here on earth is very limited.
Wanting to see what was available?
Actually sounds like something I would do at my brother's facility. In fact, I did. They had a snack room and I was curious, as to whether they marked containers, as to what was available and etc. Hee hee, but I AM 80.
Anyway, I would start with asking her why she was casing out the supplies.
Or, it is possible she has a UTI which would "suddenly" cause her to have strange behavior. It you suspect a UTI, it needs to be treated with antibiotics, so please take her to her Doctor or Urgent Care for testing.
If she' resistant to going you could tell her a "therapeutic fib" that her primarry doctor wants her to come back to discuss something else or for routine bloodwork, whatever story works. Once there discretely pass the staff a note saying who you are and to please test her cognition and also for a UTI. At this appointment please request the HIPAA Medical Representative form and have your Mom designate you as her MR so the doctor can tell you her test results with her having to be present.