Should I speak to my mother's GP?

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My mother is 75, in poor physical health: obese, high BP, little mobility (just giving these for background - they don't necessarily have an impact on the rest of my question).

She has always been fairly mean, but lately she has become extremely aggressive and is shouting at people all the time. She is also posting weird stuff on Facebook. A few examples:

1. in a group we are both in, she publishes a post/rant that makes no sense. No proper sentences (fomer teacher), difficult to understand the meaning or the reson for the post. A couple of people contact me privately to see what she was going on about. I have no idea.

1. jumps in to other peoples conversations on FB with stuff that has nothing to do with the conversation - i.e. "would that look best in blue or green?" and she will reply "sausages"

1. she is posting memories on FB with "that is when we did such and such, such a wonderful moment with DGS". Except that it's before he was born and the place is wrong too. When this is pointed out, she tells us we're in the wrong

Given that several people have now contacted me about her behaviour, do you think I should have a word with her GP? Would it help or make things worse? Are there tests she could have?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Yes I would speak to her GP.
Firstly there are sometimes physical causes, such as water infections, that can cause episodes of strange behaviour, the GP can test to rule these out.
Then if something like dementia is suspected there are further tests that can be done, to give a diagnosis. These are non-invasive and we found the GP to be very sympathetic and kind.

Ii second what AWholeLotta says

Definitely speak to her GP. They can undertake dementia screening. Her high BP and weight and low mobility are actually of relevance, as some dementia are vascular (and those are vascular risk factors). As @AWholeLottaRosie says, there are other options too but definitely of benefit to get health services involved.

Do you see her in person? How does she seem? How is her home - is she managing to clean, make food etc?

Do speak to the GP. Also consider if she is able to do life admin, manage bills etc (I know it is probably difficult to know if she is a mean person, but I guess it is something to bear in mind). In those cases social services may need to get involved, but gp would know how to contact.

Yes, speak to the GP. The GP won't be willing to discuss her with you (data protection) but he may act on what you've said, eg call her in for a "routine appointment".

If you don't have power of attorney now is the time to do it, once you start down the path she may not be able to to consent (assuming she can now even). Do speak to the gp but unless you have poa for medical they will unable to say much except advise you to bring her in for an appointment. Certain things like sleep deprivation and infections can cause these symptoms so it's important to rule them out

How are you getting on now une?

Sorry everyone. For some reason I didn't get any notifications, so thought no-one had replied.

I'm going to flag up my concerns to her GP and trust her to follow it up.

@TheDaydreamBelievers, my parents' house is a tip, my mum can/could cook pretty well, but my parents basically only eat takeway these days.

My father does all admin, my mother is awful with money. I guess he would get the POA, if it comes to that.

Thank you all for your replies, I do appreciate them

With my Mum we asked the GP to call her in, which he did, and she went willingly "one of those memory things that I suppose they do on all of us".

I would talk to them both about getting it now and I would ask for financial and health. We've have had them for my DPs and my DILs and had two situations where we've really needed them.

It might be useful for you let DF to have them too, but if something should happen to him it's easier if you also gave them.

Much easier to apply for them now before she gets a diagnosis

There's sone information on POAs here.

If you are on a low income or certain benefits you could ask them if you can get help with your court fees.

Let us know how you get on with the GP and what you and your DPs decide over the POAs