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She hasn't been diagnosed with dementia or alzheimers. In fact, she's pretty sharp except a couple of instances where she had zero memory of something she did two weeks before. But there seems to be a lot of talk about this paranoid issue on this site so I'm hoping you can help.

Have her tested for a UTI , that can cause strange behaviors and thoughts in an elder . A number of Other things can too , pneumonia , electrolyte imbalance , stroke , etc .

Then if that’s not the problem they can have Mom do cognitive testing for dementia/alz . Everyone is different . Many can still appear “ pretty sharp “ in the beginning .
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Reply to waytomisery
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My mother was about 89 when I knew she was suffering from dementia. She acted pretty sharp too until one day, out of the blue, she introduced me as her mother. I thought she was joking, but she wasn't laughing. That was the first SOLID sign things weren't right. I had her tested shortly thereafter and she was diagnosed with progressive dementia, meaning, it would worsen, and it did. She died at 95 with advanced dementia and CHF.

Your mother's extreme paranoia is a definite sign of dementia too. Or something else medically wrong, but my bet is on dementia. Look for other signs. Getting meds mixed up, Telling stories, forgetting appointments, putting things where they dont belong like butter in the cabinet or keys in the freezer, forgetting how to get to a familiar location, trouble with finances, etc.

Good luck to you.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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TrishMic66, welcome to the forum. When you get a chance please fill out your Profile page, that will help us better understand your situation.

I agree with Waytomisery's post, have your Mom checked for an Urinary Tract Infection as such an infection can cause strange behaviors, such as anger, and seeing things. The test is fairly easy, pee in a cup (well, sometimes not so easy). If it is an UTI, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
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Reply to freqflyer
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Trish, Hi. Welcome to the Forum.
Please fill in your profile for us; this will help us know more about your mother and about you. It will help us give answers that make more sense.

You say that your mother is not diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia? Based solely on these accusations (I am assuming you have never observed any reason to think these statement might be true?) alone it is time for a good evaluation with her own MD. State with general exam, including urinalysis. Ask for a referral to neuro psyc.

I think that the next time something like this is said you need to sit mom down at the table and say:
1. Mom, why do you think hubby may be trying to hurt you?
2. Why do you think hubby would want to hurt you?
3. How is hubby trying to hurt you, and when has this occurred?

Next step quite honestly is telling your mother that you will accompany her to the local police office or sheriff to discuss this.

We know nothing about your mother and her husband. Only you have the information to make an educated guess here and to be honest, in absence of a diagnosis such things cannot be ignored.

Has you mother given any indications she would like to separate from her husband?

Again, give the three sentences you have posted regarding what sounds shocking if not complicated, this can't be ignored.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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If Mom has not had a physical lately she needs one. There can be a number of reasons, other than dementia, Mom is acting this way. My Dad went into a depression because his potassium went so low because of the water pills he was taking. My Mom had Graves disease, thyroid, that now they think contributes to Dementa. She could be dehydrated. Have diabetes. Yes, a UTI. And at 88 if she is still on a Statin, she should be taken off. They contribute to cognative decline. She needs those labs to see what her numbers are. Once the labs have ruled out anything physical, then she needscto see a neurologist who will test her.

Mom could be having mini strokes too.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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I agree with Alva, on one hand it is very likely to be dementia, could of been a dream , and she is getting reality and dreams confused.

On the other hand I just read in Perth NY, there was a murder suicide of an elderly couple.

So I don't believe you can be to careful, in this.
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Reply to Anxietynacy
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First, Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is one of the diseases, albeit the most common among the elderly, causing dementia. I highly recommend seeking an evaluation/test to see if it's AD or some other by a geriatric psychiatrist or neurologist. Losing memory and being delusional about someone wanting to kill her is a sign of possible dementia, but knowing which kind of dementia can help in providing care.
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Reply to SOS369
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