Today mom has not been feeling well. Said this morning did not feel right things changing then she went to lay down at 1130am and did not get up until 3pm around 4pm she started saying she wants to go home. She does not recognize the house she has lived in for the past 15plus years. She thinks she has a house thats a 20 hour plane ride away. Dad and I have tried explaining this is her house even told her she sold the other house over 45 yrs ago. Didnt work nothing we say or do will settle her down. Not sure if I should increase her dosage today or what. Dont even know how to respond to her anymore. I can't call her mom anymore and as of today she does not recognize my dad as her husband. Im scared she is going to wake up one morning screaming bc she does not remember us or the house. What am i supposed to say to her now that she does not remember any of the last 50 or so years of her life. I was not even around 50 years ago let alone 45 years ago. My dad is suffering, he keeps trying to reason with her and telling her the truth not sure if that is just getting her more upset/agitated or what. Just don't know what to do for her. God help me I'm not sure I am strong enough for this disease, I love my mom but I HATE seeing what this is doing to her. I don't know how the rest of you have been CG for so many years. You are all angels for hanging in so long. I've only been helping my dad for the last two years or so and I just lost and really scared and mostly angry for what is happening to her. Sorry for rambling on, hoping to do the right thing tonight by increasing her meds as doctor said we could if needed.

If her behavior today is unusual, I would take her to her doctor as soon as you can. I know a lot of doctors made this a three day weekend due to the holiday. It could be a UTI or another type of infection or has she had any med changes lately?

meds changed last week. we adjusted the time of two of her meds and she is being treated currently for UTI. Not sure what else could be going on.

The behavior change could be due to the UTI or the med change. (this is a significant change in behavior from yesterday, correct?)
Did the doctor do a urine culture to see what the best antibiotics are?
I know it's so so hard to watch someone you love decline. I wish I had more than words to give you.
If it were me, I would consider calling the doctors answering service.

Yes doctor sent to lab for culture and three days later prescribed an antibiotic. I know if she gets sleep tonight tomorrow will be better (or maybe I should say I hope) Its getting her to calm down enough for the meds to work so she can sleep. I know I will not be sleeping tonight to ensure she is okay and that dad gets sleep, can't have two sick people to take care of. Dad needs his sleep and rest. Sometimes I wish I had a bigger family or a huge house so we all lived together and everyone helped with everything care giving, cleaing, cooking etc. Sadly times are such that even family members turn the other way when you have a LO with a disease such as Alzhiemers. Sorry dont mean to be negative just cant seem to breath these days. Thanks for your advice

No need to apologize.
I also wish I had a bigger family with more help. That seems to be a pretty common sentiment here.
I hope she sleeps tonight, hope you catch a few winks too.
Your parents are lucky to have you.

Anoush,

Do not try to reason with your mother or tell her a truth that will upset her!!! Instead of telling her who you are ("I'm your husband" or "I'm your son/daughter"), just tell her you are there to help her, you love her, and redirect her attention, if at all possible. If she insists on going "home", tell her you can't go right now, maybe tomorrow. If she doesn't know you, your father, or her home, she probably won't remember you told her that. Right now, the most important thing is to keep her calm. You have seen that the truth will not do that.

My mother suffers from frequent UTI's and when she does, she doesn't remember where she is and wants to go home. Home is usually the home they knew as a child and, obviously, that is not possible since the home (as they knew it) doesn't exist anymore (someone else lives there, their parents are dead, etc.)

The GOOD news is, when the UTI is treated and the medication is stabilized, my mother gets MUCH better. So just get through it, somehow. Do your best to keep her calm, hydrated, and to get her some sleep.

Keep breathing yourself. Deep breaths of fresh air help!

Please take your Mom to emergency room,,,and let them know that she has Alzheimers. Also take the list of medications she takes,,along with the dosage of each med,,and the time the meds are taken.

It sounds as if your Mother "could've had a stroke",,or has a severe UTI,(urinary tract infection),,which can cause massive confusion and delusional thinking.

You or your Dad should request that a nuerologist also be contacted to come in and see your Mother,,if she is admitted to the hospital. Also,,please let me take this opportunity to stress that its of the utmost importance that your Mom have you or your Dad stay with her while she in the hospital,,as hospital staff is so "ignorant" to the needs and understanding of a person with AD.

Best if everything ,,please do keep us posted on things. Peace

you have good advice. i have gone thru your issue repeatedly. you will come to recognize the symptoms quickly.

Thank you all for your advice.
DJ you are right about not trying to reason with mom or telling her the truth. I catch myself and stop though I am not always able to stop by dad from doing so.

Raven - we ended up in ER today as mom slept last night after we gave her meds and increased the seroquel. We got up this morning and within an hour mom was in lot of pain, ends up she has Diverticulitis. Which maybe the cause of yesterdays condition. Dr says we are lucky as she is in the beginning stage of Diverticulitis starting so the antibiotic will kick in much faster as opposed to when we went to ER this past January and Diverticulitis was full blown, missed the signs as they were slightly different this time. Now need to help dad realize we are not doctors we will not know if taking mom to ER is right we do the best we can.
Thanks again everyone for your advice.