Urgent advice needed-mum is delirious

[flygirl767]

My mum has been gong down hill rapidly, suffering from extreme anxiety and thinking there are people in the house/she's not in her own home. This has been sporadic and the GP could find nothing wrong initially. Over the last few days she has been particularly bad and today she is talking no sense at all. She usually comes round mid morning and is relatively ok but she is talking about being able to see a room full of people, saying she wants to go home etc.

I spoke to the GP this morning, he as already put in an urgent referral to the elderly care team with a view to getting her assessed and scanned but we are unsure how long that would take right now. He said the only other way of getting her assessed is to have her admitted to hospital which she would hate and probably make her even more confused.

I'm going over there now but can't stay over as I have my son at home (she is 30 mins away). Really not sure what to do? She sounds really bad and I wonder if any one has any advice? She is completely delirious at the moment but the GP says if she is a danger to herself I must call an ambulance. Seems extreme but not sure if she is ok on her own?

Has she been tested for a urine infection? This might sound daft but a bad urine infection in an elderly person can bring on all the things you are describing.

I came on to say the same. I’d be pushing for a urine test.

I too was going to ask whether a urine sample has been sent off for testing? Especially if this is sudden and she isn't normally forgetful, suspicious etc. Has she had a head injury? Any other signs of a stroke? Could she stay at yours?

GP tested for urine infection, all clear as were bloods

When you get there make sure she is hydrated, dehydration can cause all those symptoms and make any confusion worse. My Dad was on a ward and even then managed to go downhill rapidly due to not drinking as he didn’t want to need the toilet . Other than that just being there for her and following their advice. Good luck

Definite test for UTI.

She did trip over a couple of months ago in the house but hurt her back rather than head (or that is what she told me)

Oh so sorry, cross posted. Hmm, strange. I hope you get to the bottom of it, try not to worry - they can bounce back just as suddenly!

Sadly it's usually in hospital elderly people get properly assessed and a care plan can be put in place, if needed.

Thank you, I can't have her at my home as we are in an open plan 3 storey house with steps everywhere. She just couldn't cope. I will make her dinner and try and settle her this evening I think. Lockdown has been awful for her, she is so lonely. I see her every other day but will probably have to be more now until I can get her seen.

Im leaving now will keep you posted, thanks again

There is also something called Charles Bonnett syndrome, which people with failing eyesight eg from macular degeneration can get.

Delirium is a symptom that something is wrong. Hospital is likely the best (and safest) place for her right now. Sorry

She needs blood tests and UTI or other infection tests, particualrly if she had a fall this could have been for some other reason than a trip etc so e.g. a tia, if that is the case then the delirium could be down to deficiencies in other areas - vit d or magnesium are common. Whatever it needs attention not just leaving to be honest. I know it will initially make her worse going in to hospital BUT she will get tests done properly as part of her assessment and the A&E are not busy at the moment

We are at A&E now. Nightmare as I’m not allowed in and mum doesn’t think there is anything wrong with her! She was packing up the house half dressed when I got there so the GP and I decided she had reached crisis point.

Oh jeez, how stressful for you. And for your mum! I've been where you are - hang in there, they'll work it out and she won't be discharged until a care package is in place.

My dad had low sodium that caused hallucinations make sure that her sodium level is ok x

Thanks for all your advice today, although she was very reluctant to go to hospital and I was thinking what have I done when we got there, you are all right that she is in the right place to now get a diagnosis.

I've spoken with the A&E doctor, no infections so they have sent her for a CT scan. If nothing showing on there she will be passed over to the mental health team tomorrow who will take it from there and work out if it is dementia or delirium caused by extreme anxiety.

I know this is horrendous but you absolutely did the right thing! She is in the care of experts and is safe

She's in the right place and I hope you got some sleep last night. I also hope that there's a simple solution that magically sets things back the way they were.

Gosh how worrying for you. It sounds like your mum is in the best place.

Hope you get some answers today

We are in the same situation. It’s awful. My mum has been sectioned. Offering a hand hold.

Even if the CT head is clear it can still be delirium as the mental effects last after the infection has passed

Don't want to be really scary but she should get Covid swabbed as it can present ole delirium in older people

Visual hallucinations are a psychotic feature which is very unlikely to ha

Oh OP it is so difficult but you did the right thing.

Posted too soon

Visual hallucinations unlikely in anxiety or depression.

There are some kinds of dementia eg Lewy Body that feature hallucinations but dementia comes on slowly usually not suddenly

She needs to see an older people's MH specialist and they will be able to suggest appropriate medication

Hopefully they'll have access to a crisis team who can support her to stay at home. Last resort she might be admitted to a MH hospital but with Covid around she will be safer from that at home if possible