Hello , my mum has been diagnosed with alzheimer two years since then it been a long and painful journey but since three months now everything went from worse. She now is paranoid think that some of our neighbors want to kill her she made up a story that our neighbor who have a child want to kill her cause her child is crying. So here I am trying to deal with that I have only 18 years old and I'm alone all my family lives in another country my dad died when I was nine and don't have siblings and I'm currently in university trying to do have my degree in English I survived the first semester but I can't anymore my refuse to stay alone at home by herself she says to me me if you leave me once you come back you will find me dead so I'm can do nothing if I leave her I'm scared that she can go out or do something dangerous. Even if I'm at home she still scared she have some crisis where she cry hit herself want to go out cause she think they coming for her I'm living in a flat so I can control the noises of the neighbor when they walk down the stairs or something , with that she refuse to go to the toilette. I can go to uni or even go to the store without her and she doesn't sleep she scared alone but the night is the only time I can have for myself to stay a little bit alone work or read or just sleep but she keep waking up cry and let the light on shut everything down reassure her saying everything is ok the doors are closed no one can enter and if they are in going to call the police I'm here but nothing I'm so tired I tried drugs but nothing I'm hopeless she refuse daily care help she want no one but me I can let her with some of her friend and go to uni but its not a solution they have they own lives too, and I don't want to place her she is my mum we have lived always together I have no one but her if I place no matter the consequences I will never find peace again and live normally. I no that so il asking for help and advices from your hoping that some of you have lived that type of symptoms. By the way I'm living in France.
I’m sorry you and your mum are having this problem.
Have her checked for urinary tract infection (UTI). This is a simple pee test. The cure is the right antibiotic. If she is having a UTI it can make her have symptoms such as you mentioned. UTIs can be fatal. Also she may need her meds adjusted. Hopefully the paranoia will pass soon.
Is your mother still seeing the doctor who diagnosed her dementia? Have you told this doctor about your mother's severe symptoms? A geriatric psychiatrist would be a good specialist to consult as well. Your mother's problems are medical, and she needs to be seen by a medical professional.
I don't know how social services work in France, but you need help caring for your mom. Is there an agency that deals with problems of the elderly? Or those with mental health issues? You need someone who is trained to work with paranoia to spend time with your mother in her flat, while you go to uni and get on with your life.
You say you have tried drugs ... for her or for yourself? Prescribed by a doctor? Your poor mother is terrified and you are miserable.
Paranoia is very common in dementia. It often doesn't last the entire time. In my husband's case it lasted a few months. But even if this phase goes away, there will be other problems. You really need to establish help now, even if she resists it.
The only way to tell is if she gets the test. Very inexpensive but must be treated by an antibiotic. The dr you see today should be able to help.
In the elderly they do not always have burning or frequency of urination. But the infection can poison the whole system and cause your Mum to be very sick.
You must be brave and not worry if your mum gets angry. She won’t remember that but you will know you got her the care she needed. She needs your help to get her the care. It is not a one person job. Let us know what the dr says.