My mom thinks that she is having conversations with people on "Reels" that play on Facebook. I have tried to share that it is like television and that they can not hear you. She has created daily relationships with them and will tell them that she has to go or ask if they can wait for her until she gets back. We are waiting for an appointment with a neurologist. No UTI, she has a pacemaker, fractured her hip a few years back. She takes her meds, takes her baths, eats and can have clear conversations. This issue started about 6 months ago and her general physician is saying that blood work and cat scan does not show Alzheimer's, dementia or tumors. Any feedback on this.
Vitamin deficiency may cause some symptoms that might seem like dementia (B-12)
An MRI might be better than a CT in some respects.
(Is the appointment with a Neurologist or a Neuropsychologist? a Neuropsychologist might be a better option although they should work and refer to each other)
If this is the only thing that is going on, if it does not upset her I would not be overly concerned, no need to stress yourself or her if it is not causing distress. If it does bother her and she gets upset that they don't respond or wait for her if you can use parental blocks to prevent some things that might help.
With Dementia, TV and dreams become part of the persons reality. The brain can no longer differentiate between the 3. My Mom told me one day that the Dr. wanted to talk to me. The "doctor" was Dick Van Dyke on Diagnoses Murder.
Don't blame your Mom, blame the complex technology that is out there. Recently we bought a new TV, you would think it would be plug and play... nope. My daughter-in-law had to go into YouTube to find out how to set up the TV. All the steps needed was crazy.
Why is everything so complicated. I am use to the KISS theory.
Most times, unfortunately, it is diagnosed by a combination of behavior and testing.
With my mother, her behavior (after blood testing and GP exam) was enough to say, with a great deal of certainty, that she did have dementia.
So, if it IS dementia, logic and reason is out the window. We can’t actually CONVINCE a dementia patient of ANYTHING.
Despite “evidence” to the contrary, my mother is sure of the following:
Her room will soon spontaneously combust. (Not happening)
People are looking in her window at her. (Blinds are drawn, and since she stuffs tissues down the sides of the blinds, no one could even see into or out of that tiny sliver of light)
She is never fed. (She is given three meals a day, and snacks ANY time she wants them.)
At various times of the year, it is Lent, and she can’t eat at all. (This one comes and goes.)
My grandparents are still alive. (She’s 80. They’ve been gone for 20 years.)
She can’t eat raisins. (The side of the box says that there is one gram of protein in them (who knew?), and protein means poison.)
Her bathroom doesn’t have a toilet. (She can see it from her bed. She uses it multiple times per day)
And, on, and on.
Again, we can’t convince dementia of anything. We shouldn’t even try.
Best wishes to you.
Those websites where someone is offering a tiny-house free because it has a couple of dents, or offering a free brand new RV because it has some dents. I saw where my daughter-in-law replied.... [sigh].