My 89 year old father has been sharp as a tack for 89 years. Last month he came down with a whole body blood infection caused by a drain in his gall bladder. After 3 weeks the infections is gone. Every since then he goes from normal to talking crazy as can be and imagining things. I've read some people get this. My question is has anyone here dealt with this and how do i handle it? The crazy phone calls needing food instantly and then getting it only to have him eat one piece is getting old. And just the random crazy talk is hard to deal with.
Not saying it IS that (I am not a Doctor) but maybe read up & ask Dad's Doctor.
I'll try to find some links.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/delirium-vs-dementia-476403.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/delirium/symptoms-causes/syc-20371386
I never have ever dealt with anyone with delirium or dementia, so this is new for me too. Mom asks me if I had a good trip to Arizona (haven't been). I say yes. She asks me if she owes me a hundred dollars, I say yes. She starts to cry and get all weepy and I ask her if football's on and she stops. Like, immediately stops. The hospitalist told me they're going to take her outside to see the sun and the fountains outside the hospital. She will like that.
The nurses told me once she clears the infection she should "be better," and right now that's all I can hope for. I told them 8 days ago she was paying bills and looking for football on TV. I went to see her yesterday and my presence agitated her - not on purpose, but she got excitable and a little thrashy when I showed up, so I go every other day or every two days. I told the nurses and the doctor I don't mean to not see my mom, but if it's going to put her through this that doesn't help her rest or get better. They agreed, and knew exactly where I was coming from. My mom has been in a health decline for many years. Going there every day only to have her re-hash how she's not home, wants to go home, where's my dog (she doesn't have one) and get all restless and fidgety won't help, and any visit I will do will be very short.
I know this probably doesn't answer your question but you are not alone in this, nor am I, as it seems. Our issue now will be probably putting her in AL or Memory Care when this settles. She'll be safe, and retain some dignity. I learned in 4 days that none of us would choose this "behavior" and so I just go along with it, and that germs and bacteria are a bigger b#tch than I ever imagined they were.
Is he still hospitalized or in rehab? This septicemia is a lethal killer, and to have survived it means he is not resistant to antibiotics, and had enough organs surviving it to recover. Somewhat a miracle right there.
If he is still not home in his own environment then I would say that much of this is a sort of hospital psychosis. If he is back and still cannot fully recover this is a wait and see.
I would discuss this with his own doctor because he is the one with all the facts and details here, and can make best guess. Otherwise this is taken a day at a time and with hoping for the best. I sure do wish you best of luck and hope for full recovery.
Those words are spoken (not by a doctor, nor an educated counselor but) by one who is an 87 year old Christian and has a personal relationship with the Lord. If you are not in that category...my suggestion is that you begin to seek the Lord with all your heart. Put your parent's needs ahead of your own. Again, I know those words are easier to say than that action is to take. You can do it. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. God bless you and your 89 year old Dad.
I am certain in this time you have talked to a neurologist involved in his care.
What does that specialist tell you? If this isn't hospital psychosis I am not certain what happened here. If he was on a ventilator I am worried about oxygenation to the brain at some point in all this?
As an old retired RN I admit I am mystified on this one.