She has called me three times over the last month thinking that there is something that she’s supposed to be doing, but she can’t remember what it is. She sounds disoriented and it’s as if she was sleeping (which she denies) but isn’t quite awake. The longer we talk the more lucid she gets. What is going on?
The only way to determine what is going on is to make an appointment with her doctor. Make sure she goes.
In advance of the appointment you contact the doctors office (use the Patient Portal for secure communication) and let the doctor know that you have noticed these changes...and list the changes you have noticed. Let them know about things that you may have brushed off but looking back might have meant something.
There is no way we could determine what is going on. Particularly since you have given NO information about mom. Age, medical condition and other info that might be helpful.
My Mom lives next door to me. She's 95. If I got over there or call her, she is often sleeping in her chair and is a little groggy when she wakes up at first. BUT, I wouldn't make the assumption that this is what's going on with your Mom. When was the last time you saw her in person? How far away do you live?
Is anyone her PoA? Does she have a trusted neighbor who can check in on her?
Very few of us have medical backgrounds other than what we've learned along the way.
This could be something serious like TIA's, UTI, or even the start of dementia. All of which would need addressing, so please call her doctor today and make an appointment for her to be seen.
So I’m going to guess that …..…
What is going on is she is 96.
At that age there is bound to be some cognitive problems . She also could be having mini strokes ( called TIAs ) .
And she may be napping as well .
It can take some elderly a little time to get reoriented after sleeping .
If she is living alone that should change as she could do something out of the ordinary in a stupor. She may need assisted living .
An older person I new, was very upset because he read a letter that his sister sent him, that was really nasty. We looked high and low for this letter and figured out it was a dream.