Dear AdoptedSon,
I have just become aware of your coming into the community here. Welcome! Please know that I feel for you greatly and can understand a lot of what you are describing.

I have been accompanying my mother who is about to turn 102. She is being cared for in a seniors' residence. Until a year ago, her mind was very clear. Then, there were several changes in her health, and at the same time, she began to show cognitive confusion of various kinds. She has days when she, too, is hallucinating. She sees, as you say, all kinds of strange things in the room and on her bed. Fortunately, these things are not too threatening. However, she also has days when she feels she is being abused, and describes how attendants are shouting at her, throwing her around, and leaping over the bed. When she first spoke of the latter, I did worry that she was being mistreated. Gradually, I began to realize that these expereinces were a result of the state of her mind on that day. The doctor was alerted and he prescri;bed some medication. I am not sure that the medication has actually been beneficial. She continues to have hallucinations. Fortunately, as previously, they do only last for a couple of days. The increased mental agitation seems to tire her, and she then goes into a time of sleep to finally emerge into a state of cognitive clarity. Of course we know that the days of halucinating will return, and they do. Like you, I have learned to just listen to Mom, to comfort her as much as I can, to reassure her.

I am sorry that the hallucinations you mother has are so frightening to her and so to you. Anything which we do not understand and cannot control can be very scary. By now, you have probably had the visit from the doctor. The doctor may have decided to hospitalize your mother so that extensive testing could be done. Sudden mental changes may not always be easy to diagnose. Please do keep us informed of developments.

I am glad that you have found us as you and your spouse must feel very stressed. Is there anything in particular that we can do for you just now?
Plum1