My mom has parkinsons along with other health and mental issues. She's 69. Since January she's had 3 different episodes of acute altered mental status. 1st was a TIA. 2nd UTI after being home for 2 days from rehab. 3rd was 3 days home and they believe she has CDIFF but not sure what caused this latest episode and it was the worst of the 3. My question is what is causing the episodes and will they stop or will she come back from them and be able to return home again? I'm worried I won't be able to care of her safely anymore and we are not ready for that. I know she wants to be home and realizes things are not right. Just wondering what else could be causing these episodes or is it just the infections & TIA.
Anyone with experience in this I'd love to hear your story. Any words of wisdom or encouragement is helpful.
In each of these episodes her cognitive abilities took a nosedive. "Acute altered mental status" describes it pretty well! For example, She couldn't get up and walk, but it didn't seem to be a matter of weakness -- it was if she literally didn't remember how to walk. Within a couple of days of starting the third round of treatments she is much, much better. She is even joking (and making sense).
My mother also has dementia, Perhaps your mother does too. But whether her "mental issues" are the dementia that often goes with Parkinson's or not, it is not unusual for the elderly to react to acute illness with a mental decline. It is entirely possible that your mom will return to her baseline.once all of her medical issues are resolved. This may take some time. I wouldn't be in any hurry to bring her home from rehab. Let her heal.
In my experience, infections and TIA can cause dementia-like symptoms, and if dementia is present it can make the symptoms much worse. Unlike true dementia decline, these worsening symptoms are temporary.
It is also possible that Mom's Parkinson's and possible dementia is progressing and that is what is causing her altered mental status. In that case she is not as likely to return to her baseline. That seems like too much coincidence to me. My money is on the infections. But keep your eyes open. Observe Mom closely when she gets home.
This might be a great time to look into bringing in some in-home help. Then if she doesn't return to her former baseline, you may want to start looking at care centers. But starting with in-home help will give her more time to heal and time for you to evaluate the situation before you make a large move.
My heart goes out to you and Mom. I hope she has more years of a decent quality of life.
Please let us know how it is going with your mother. She probably has good years ahead if she gets the right treatment. Do they know for sure she has Cdiff. I am hoping that she doesn't. It always complicates things, as well as making her feel terrible.