Need a little reassurance

[charming23]

So I am a little scared right now. My Grandmother, who is 90 years old, just called my mother and told her that she was feeling all mixed up today. She is normally fine and has a better social life at 90 than I do at 25. She said she was coming back from dinner with a friend and wanted to stop for gas and could not remember where to stop for gas. She went straight home and when she walked in she said she could not remember who she could call or even phone numbers. She eventually remebered our number and called us about 45 mins after she had been home.

She does have a tendancy to not eat right or regularly like she should and I am wondering if maybe low nutrition or blood sugar could be to blame. She is going to call her doctor in the morning and see what he says she should do. We told her if it gets worse to call us and we would take her to the emergency room right away.

I guess I am scared because of everything we went through when my dad was sick and I do not feel I have the strength to deal with something else so soon.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[Liberty Belle]

It very well could be a vitamin deficiency.

 

[Scurvy]

There are lots of things that could cause those sorts of memory issues, and many of them are not bad at all. Still, it is good that she's going to talk to the doctor in the morning in case she has had a minor stroke or it's something else serious. I hate to mention this, but if she couldn't remember to call you all earlier, she isn't necessarily going to be able to call if she gets worse. If you are really concerned, is there any way one of you could go stay with her tonight?

 

[charming23]

Thanks for the responses. She called again about 20 minutes ago after having something more to eat (she told my mom the first time she ate today was at dinner) and felt better. She is still calling the doctor in the morning and my mom is heading down to her house now to stay with her. Just for our peace of mind.

 

[pigletgirl]

She also may have a UTI or something too. Often times when an elderly person is confused, its due to an infection. That is especially true in an elderly woman.

 

[mlittig]

My elderly mother had an urinary tract infection that caused her to fall down and become more confused Once she was on antibiotics, it stopped the falls. Is she drinking enough water as dehydration is very hard on the elderly too. Good luck and let us know what happens

 

[Liberty Belle]

Let us know how she is today.

 

[Katy Belle]

My mother started getting forgetful several years ago, she's 84 now. It turned out to be related to diabetes. Once she got her blood sugar under control it all stopped. We really thought she had Alzhiemers, but its completely gone now. A full check by the Dr. should answer questions for your Grandmother.

Good luck! I know its scary

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

As the responses here show, the first thing that should be done is rule out physiological issues. UTIs in the elderly is the number one "cause of dementia." I put that in quotes, as it's not true dementia then, is it?

Diabetes, HTN, poor nutrition, lack of adequate hydration, thyroid malfunctions; and about a hundred other things can cause sudden onset confusion.

Don't let the age get in the way of proper diagnosis.

Take care now!

 

[charming23]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and advice. She is doing better this morning and has a doctor's appointment later this afternoon that my mom is taking her to.

 

[charming23]

So she went to the doctor and he seems to believe it is a lack of proper nutrition. They drew some blood and are ordering a few tests to rule out anything else out. He is sending her to a nutrionist to work out a better plan for nutrition and what foods are best.

I do feel a little bit relieved about everything.

Thanks for everyone's support

 

[Scurvy]

I'm glad to hear it's likely something simple to correct - that's great news!