Hi Family
(You are now considered my internet family whether you like it or not :))
So I started noticing my grandmother hallucinating on Saturday but I didnt think much of it because she didnt open up about what she was seeing. On Tuesday I started to sleep in her room with her to help her should she need me at night and I'm glad I am because I'm noticing so many things that I didnt realize before.
She hallucinates every night. We will go and get her checked for UTI but this is the first time that I'm experiencing this, I will research, but right now reading up on it seems daunting.
Please can I get a few experiences and tips from people in this situation as well, what type of reaction has helped when you recognize your LO is hallucinating? Any tips and things to keep in mind?
Also I'm worried about her, if she does have UTI and she only gets checked on Wednesday (that's when she has her doctor's appointment) is that a bad thing? Or should we just take her today?
I keep telling my dad to take her to get tested for UTI, since Tuesday when she was hallucinating very badly (but I didn't know about UTI at the time, but I just wanted her to go see a doctor) and every day since. I'd take her by myself but I cant because of the situation, I need his help. But he just wants to do the test when we go for her appointment, is that going to make her worse? Or is a few more days not too bad?
Thanks,
Warm Regards
Asked him what was wrong and he said Sis said she was 'meaner than usual'--and was going to take her to the drs for a UTI check. (Big sigh). Her last UTI wound her up in the hospital for 6 weeks--she kept falling.
She doesn't hallucinate, but she gets VERY angry and nasty. This is the 'new normal' for her--altho she has always been pretty mean.
She also sleeps 14-18 hrs a day now, esp when the UTI's come. She swears she never sleeps, EVER, but DH has had to break into her house many times to check on her and there she is, sound asleep at 2 pm, in her pjs, in bed.
I had a UTI about 6 weeks ago and while I did not go 'crazy'--I definitely felt 'off'.
Glad you got gran to the dr. Even if she was just hallucinating, it would be worth a check up.
As far as reacting, my brother had quite fascinating hallucinations, especially if anxious, and most at nighttime. He saw things differently as well. He was diagnosed probably early Lewy's dementia, and the way they hallucinate and see the world is quite unique. He was lucid in explaining that a van with black and white hubcap looked like the Diego Rivera painting of a Mexican person leaning over, with long dark hair. When he would explain I saw what he was "seeing". At night his "hallucinations were very elaborate". For instance a pool party outside his window where he could explain the people or an immigrant woman huddled inside in the corner, sheltering her baby. Tried to touch her and she disappeared and became a tall standing floor vase in the dim light. So asking what she sees may be good. On some level, often, they are aware their brain is functioning "differently". All this stuff is so very individual. It is difficult to say because it is definitely a "learn as to go " situation.
It may be that this is what is going on. There are meds that can help with this.
UTis can turn into more dangerous infections rather quickly in older people. Please seek the doctor's advice this morning.
Welcome to be family😀