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I have noticed a significant change in my mom's mental and cognitive function in the last couple of weeks. She won't take her Rx meds, her memory is less. She doesn't connect my husband with the person being her night care attendant. She'll move herself in her wheel chair and not remember she just did that. She seems to have less and less memory lately. Even her facial expression is different, she doesn't even look like herself.

I'm not certain what to do. We have a doc appointment for her in 2 weeks.

What have others done in this situation, and what are your thoughts about this?

Thanks,
LastOne

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It's smart to see what is causing the change. It could be a UTI or something else, but it sounds like it could be the progression of dementia. It could be the next phase for her.

My loved one didn't stay in the suspicious phase for long. And she never thought her food was not good, but it varies from person to person.

I would read a lot of material on the things to expect with dementia patients. I never knew so many behaviors were symptoms.

I would agree that trying to convince someone that their delusion is false is a waste of time. Just try to fix the problem. Take the food back and tell her that she needs poison free food and that you are working on getting all the poisoned food destroyed and that it should be destroyed any day. Of course, she may forget that later on, but it may help her feel better for the minute and long enough to enjoy her meal.
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Further thoughts - is she refusing to take meds, and possibly to eat, because of the paranoia about poison? Has she been paranoid before?

If she's not eating, or drinking, she could quickly become dehydrated and have to be taken to the ER. You might be able to get some insight onto what's happened to her then, or even have her admitted for more testing. I kind of suspect it may come to that as it doesn't seem as though she's responding as she previously did.

One thing you might try is when she complains about poison in her food, don't challenge her fear, but say you'll give her some different food that you know is safe. Same with the meds; just take them back and refill them, then see if she'll take them. It may or may not work, but it's worth a try.

Usually validation of someone's fears can help allay them, to a point, but I have a suspicion it may be beyond that now.

Wish I had some answers or help for you but my experience in this area is limited, although a lot of others here have much more insight and might be able to share their thoughts as FF has done.
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When you write about a changed facial expression, my first thought was TIA or small stroke.
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LastOne, what your Mom is going through is very normal for someone who has dementia. Unfortunately there isn't any you can do except accept this his your Mom's future with her mind.

Go to the blue bar at the top of this page, click on SENIOR LIVING.... click on Alzheimer's Care.... scroll down and learn everything you can about memory loss. Knowledge will be your best guide.
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