I have been taking care of my 97 year old mother 24/7 for the past 2 years. This morning I woke up with the noise from her slaming her closet door. She got up very early and very upset saying: "Why did you do this to me?. I never thought you'd be so evil!". She was imagining I had taken her children (including me) to the patio. No matter how many times I explained to her that it was only a dream, and to get back in bed, she came in to my bedroom a few minutes later calling me by my father's name, who passed away 9 years ago. I opened her bedroom window to show her there was no one in the patio. She still did not calm down and took my hand to lead her into the living room. It took a while for her to calm down and relax. By this time it was time to start breakfast. A few hours later she completely forgot what happened earlier. I realize it will get worse. She has a very mild case of dementia, but, this was the very first time I saw her behaving like this. When should I contact her doctor for an evaluation?. She is in good health, except for her bad hearing and she has cataracts. She only takes two medications to control her cholesterol and blood pressure, which are normal at this time. I feel blessed for her good health at her age.
If this should happen to be a progression of the dementia, the sooner you know that, the better.
Hallucinations are seeing things that are not there. Delusions are believing things that are false. Not that it matters much to you, dealing with it, but it may matter to a doctor trying to figure out what is going on. Did your mother see her children being taken to the patio? Or did she awake with the belief that is what happened? When she came into your room, did she she your father there?
Hallucinations or delusions, people having them believe strongly in their reality. It is generally futile to try to talk them out of it. Since your mother had just awakened, assuring her that she'd had a dream was a good try.
If the vision/belief is not disturbing to the loved one, going along with it may be the best way to keep things calm. There are kittens in your closet? I like kittens, don't you? Let me know if they are still there this afternoon and I'll get some cat food, but they probably have a home to go to.
If the loved one is disturbed, offering to fix the problem (which she finds very real) might help. Mom, I'll go down to the patio right now, bring the children in, and make sure they are tucked in safe and sound. Then I'll come tuck you in, too.
I know this seems crazy. But maybe you can make peace with it if it brings your mother some peace.
Do get Mom checked out medically. Best of luck in dealing with this.
Does her urine smell strong? That and the confusion is my first hint..then I call the doc to make it go away. Please make sure, if she has one left untreated she can get septic.
If you rule out minor things, then it is time to see her doc, although they mostly go by anecdotal information from the family.
good luck