She believes that one of her ex-caregivers is sabotaging her by doing things that are totally absurd. For instance, Mom believes that this person sneaks into her house at night and plays music, puts sleeping pills in her coffee pot, moves furniture, etc. We finally had to release this caregiver even though we know none of this is true. However, that hasn't stopped Mom's delusions. And she says to us that she knows we think she's crazy but she knows what's happening. We are at a complete loss as to what to do.
It sounds to me, though, like this has been going on longer than one would expect without other symptoms coming up. So, do insist on a test for UTI, but it may not be that simple.
Delusions of this nature are not part of the normal aging process. Something is definitely going on here that needs attention. Maggie has a very good approach with dealing with delusions -- keep it in mind! But it is also important to get medical help figuring out the base cause.
That is part of the worry, chaos, constant surprises of caregiving.
Then, be sure the UTI has cleared after treatment. Insist on it.
I had the same reaction as you did when this was first pointed out to me on this very message board. It's one of the very good reasons to make sure that your mom is being seen by a geriatrics doc; they know about this stuff. Regular internist generally do not.
Thanks to everyone for their help - I really appreciate it!!
Steve
Mom once told me one of the sle sides at the nursing home, where she stayed for rehab, had taken ER for a walk in the woods and gotten VERY fresh with her. Well, first of all, I already knew, as you do, that mom was a bit delusional. Secondly, there was no woods. Ha! But I played along a bit and said something like, "Mom, im going to talk with him. He'll never do THAT again."
Another time she told me her caregiver, in my home, had been snooping from papers I'd left on the table. "Don't have her back EVER," mom said. I liked the lady. And there were magazines on the table along with a few unimportant personal papers underneath the stack. I told her I'd make sure NEVER to leave anything important out ever again.
So, both times I acknowledged I believed her and offered a solution. Problem solved.
Have you reported the delusions to the doctor who is managing her dementia ?
Have you had her seen by a geriatric psychiatrist?