When she wants to remember something, she has no trouble. If I ask her to do something, like don’t let the dogs out....I’m spraying poison. Not 10 minutes go by and the dogs are out. Repeatedly. Does she just want to make me mad and show she’s in control and can do whatever.
Are u sure Mom was not always like this? Now ur living with her you just are more aware of it.
Maybe she would do better in IL or an AL. She would have people to interact with. Activities and transportation to shop and go to appts.
At this point in time my mother had recently been released from a three week rehab stay - that had been the result of a fall. The fall itself hadn’t done any real damage but the ER trip did show a UTI and cellulitis.
However - mentally, my moms dementia had gone from mild to high end moderate overnight. The doctors were mystified and ran several tests - more than one CATSCAN and more than one MRI. These tests showed that her brain had atrophied some and there was a bleed the size of a “pencil point”.
Anyhoo - mom fell again and I - of course - ran to the ER to be with her. Together we were in her cubical for about two hours waiting for test results. Honestly, she seemed fine. I left for a couple of minutes to go to the bathroom.
When I returned to her cubical, mom looked at me and said “Rain, when did you get here?” I was alarmed to say the least. “Mom”, I said - “I’ve been here for two hours, don’t you remember?” To which she replied “no” and went on to talk off the wall nonsense. I became extremely concerned and when the doctor finally arrived I was near panic.
The doctor heard her talking and became very concerned as well. After all - her brain scans showed no new damage. So - the doctor started talking about more tests and admitting her...
It was at this point - when mom realized she was looking at being admitted - that she decided enough was enough - and she busted up LAUGHING. Yep. Mom was having a good ole time yanking my chain. When I got mad - mom said “Oh Rain, you’re too sensitive”. Nice.
So - the moral of my story? Just because they actually do have dementia - as my mother did actually have and had been demonstrating for the past couple of years - it DOES NOT mean that they still aren’t capable of manipulation.