I am currently living with my mother (she's 72) and she has developed the tendency to go into violent rages in response to any argument. She has severe bone loss and arthritis, and if I so much as grab her hands to stop her, she screams out at the top of her lungs that I am hurting her. So I just go limp and let her take out her frustration on me until she stops (at least to catch her breath!) so I can get away from her. I myself am no spring chicken, and am on disability with spine/disk issues and chronic pain. Being flung around like a ragdoll isn't exactly helping. My mom is 4'9" and 90 lbs. soaking wet, or this would probably be much, much worse, but she IS hurting ME. Her own mom had Alzheimer's, and she seems to be having some cognitive difficulty. How can I find out if she has Alzheimer's if she refuses to be tested by a doctor?
There are all sorts of things that could be happening, maybe she is taking extra doses, especially if she has more than one bottle of same med. I would call her doctor and tell him/her you are concerned. Maybe he will tell her to bring all prescriptions in to do a med check. Not unreasonable. You have my sympathy:)
Coconut oil, B complex, etc. Good Luck xo
Does she ever go to the doctor for anything? If so, talk to the doctor first and let him or her know what's going on.
There is nothing to be gained by telling your mother that she is being evaluated for dementia/mental illness.
Could you maybe get a home visit from the Visiting Nurse in your area? Again, don't tell her what's going on.
I've known some nasty elders who improved greatly after being given anti-psychotics. I don't mean that they went into a stupor, but that they seemed much happier and calmer.
Please get help, and start asking everyone - council on aging, doctors, your own doctor, your church - for assistance.