I've got to get more involved w/ mom's care. Yesterday around 2:30 Mary mom's nurse called to say mom "saw" Dad in the living room of that place. They think it's either ANOTHER UTI or side effect from increased Exelon patch of 13 mg/24 hr. Now if they noticed this around 2 pm let's say WHY didn't they cal the doctor AT THAT TIME, draw labs, etc.? Instead they're waiting until this morning so the poor woman thinks we're picking her up this morning for Daddy's funeral!!!! She went through the ENTIRE night grieving for her husband!!! I hope it's just a fluke & the whole episode is over now...
Dr Oz recommends 1/4 tsp of baking soda in a small glass of water taken at the first sign of a UTI. In a dementia patient you would not know, so I do not know if they can drink a small glass daily or it that will hurt them. It changes the Ph balance I believe.
According to the UK Alzheimer's Society's web page, "UTIs can cause a significant and distressing change in someone's behaviour which is commonly referred to as 'acute confusional state' or 'delirium'. Delirium is described as a change in someone's mental state or consciousness and usually develops over one or two days. There are different types of delirium and symptoms may include agitation or restlessness, increased difficulty with concentrating, hallucinations or delusions, or becoming unusually sleepy or withdrawn." http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/factsheet/528
A uti definitely caused my aunt (who did NOT have any form of dementia and was on no drugs) to hallucinate. The uti cleared up -- no more little people that only she could see.