Last wk, mom called long distance sis the wrong name (from photo) I corrected,her.
More things pop up. Today, she thought she was 60; she is 89. She, knew that day before. Forgot the dogs name too. I try to ask her next day to see how she is progressing into dementia. Isn't this okay? I've read alot of stories on here. Appreciate them HUGs Pat
Your profile says she has dementia. In some kinds of dementia there is loss of short term memory, progressing back in time. First they forget what happened today, last week, maybe this year. And then an 89 year old can lose three decades, and think she is 60! Later she may think she is a young bride. Arguing with these beliefs generally gets you nowhere. Mom is in her own reality now. It is best to try to enter it with her.
Personally, I think little "memory tests" are not a good idea. Yes, the doctors have to do this, but loved ones (LOs) should not have to endure it at home. Often you can get at what you want to know indirectly. Just from the things she is saying you can tell she thinks it is the 1980s, for example. The long-distance sister would have been thirty years younger then. If she is looking at a recent photo, no wonder she is confused. That woman is much older than her daughter!
And LO didn't have that dog when she was 60 -- no wonder she can't remember its name!
In addition to this age regression, some forms of dementia effect the part of the brain that remembers names. Even if LO is mentally in the present, she may not be able to access the data about names. She may recognize the dog but get the name wrong.
Any way you look at it, memory loss is a part of dementia. Your mom has dementia. Try not to let the progression upset you or at least to be calm about it in front of your mom.
A sudden increase in confusion or hallucinations or odd behavior can indeed be caused by an infection. It is important to check that out. It is also possible that this is a progression of her disease.
You would be surprised at the number of elderly people who experience sudden confusion and it can be related to a urinary tract infection. Your mother's doctor should be notified of this sudden confusion and her urine tested. Dehydration should also be considered. Offer more fluids and see if this helps. Good luck!