My mother and father, both of who are 80
years old, have been living with my
husband and I for several years now. They
are both in perfect health and have never
really been sick a day in their lives,
thank god! However, recently my mother
complained to me about hearing things. I
said to her that it may be her hearing
aids, and she replied that she heard these
things with and without the aids in. She
further explained that she's been hearing
songs. Specifically 5 different songs,
all songs from her past???
I can't make heads or tales of this
because she is lucid and appears to be in
a normal state of mind when this occurs.
I, myself, was diagonosed as bipolar 5
years ago, as for her... She had been to
a doctor about 6 years ago complaining of
depression when she had moved back to new
york and away from us. The doctor
diagnosed her as having "situational"
depression, with that said, she moved back
to az to be with us, and has never
complained of depression since.
I am really confused as to what is
happening to her, my only guess so far has
been schziophrenia, because she doesn't
have any symptoms of alzehimer's or
dementia. Does anyone have any thoughts
on what this might be? Thank you.
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Emilyoemily
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Texas
Posted: 06-26-04 22:38pm
I'm not an expert on schizo. But I know
that the onset of it is mostly in the
early 20's- not 80's. Has she always had
slight delusions, paranoia or erratic
behavior? If so, she could have possibly
had it all along. If not, I wouldn't
think it was schizophrenia, perhaps
something that comes with old age.
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 06-27-04 01:20am
If your mum is basically well despite
being 80 I think you should be grateful
& not go looking for trouble where
there probably isn't any.
Your mum like many older people is
probably remembering the "good ole days"
& hearing the songs in her mind &
they seem real - start worrying if she
starts talking to strangers who aren't
there or doing dangerous things or
whatever, right now leave her be to enjoy
her music & don't upset her about her
"fun".
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lollipop4u
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 79 Location: pottsboro
Early Diagnosis ... Posted: 06-30-04 07:17am
& therefore ... Treatment ... Is
... The key ! Are you a doctor ? If
not ... Get her in to see ...
a psychiatrist that specializes ... In
... Care ... For the elderly !
Alzheimers affects 1 in 10 over age 65
& 1 in 5 over age 85 ! So, this would
be the most common assumption ! Peace be
with you, laura
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amijoy
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Georgia
Posted: 07-15-04 18:04pm
I wouldn't think she would develope this
at the age of 80. I'm no expert, but
living with my mom having it since I was
7, (i am now 30) makes me feel real close
to one. However, it does not sound like
alzheimer's either. The only reason I
say that, is because I work at a doctor's
office and that simply doesn't fit the
criteria.
If anything, I would have to assume.
(using the word assume, lightly) that your
parents are simply getting old. It's
something that when it happens, no matter
what, we're not ready for it. Just let
her enjoy her songs. She's getting
senile and is recollecting her past.
Besides, you could always ask your dad if
she notices anything.
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lollipop4u
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 79 Location: pottsboro
One Half ... Posted: 07-18-04 15:34pm
Of the people over age 85 have alzhiemers
. So, this is the most common phenonema,
mental status wise . However, audible
hallucinations are most typical for the
diagnosis of schizophrenia . Regardless,
of what the poor old " 80 year old " girl
has ... You need to get her to a place
where she can get some help ! Laura ( lvn
x 15 years )
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 07-18-04 16:18pm
For crying out loud the lady is 80
she'sasically healthy - she's not hurting
anyone so unless & until she is leave
her alone - so what if she hears songs
from her past - these are probably songs
that remind her of happy times - leave her
alone & stop worrying & don't
treat her like a fool or a problem, be
grateful you have her & that this is
all you have to worry about - as for the
fool suggestions of putting her in some
place where she can get help - just
imagine how upsetting & hurtful that
would be for her. Unless she feels that
she wants help - why not try telling her
that it's great that she hears music that
reminds her of her long healthy life &
all without any cost in elctricity that
the rest of us need to play music!!
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sandyallen
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 4580
Posted: 07-18-04 16:56pm
I agree with purple! I feel we are all
a little schitzo, we all here things, see
things, most of the time it is our
sub-conscious, we can not put everyone
away! Elderly people have a difficult
time enough living in this day and age,
heck, I am almost 52y/o and it is
difficult enough for me! I go back and
think about the good ole days, old songs,
old places, old smells that become very
vivid, there is nothing wrong with this,
sometimes it is better then, then it is
now! A lot of times people have a close
to death period where they go back in
time. I remember when I was working in
a rest home, years ago and the elderly
people would talk about ww1 and their
childhood, I found it very interesting to
listen too!
Try not to judge people, this can be your
mother, grandmother or yourself one of
these days, the main thing is, is to keep
them out of these so called homes, and
realize that we all have our days, go see
some of these people in these places and
remember, most of the are someones mother,
grandmother, and gg's.
So, go ahead and bash me, but think about
it too!
Sincerely,
sandy
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lollipop4u
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 79 Location: pottsboro
Hey, " Cuckoo " Birds ! Posted: 07-19-04 23:43pm
Try a " little faith " in your fellow man
! And then, maybe a " little faith " in
mankind, on the side ! The message was
to get someone special an evaluation, and,
therefore the right medicine to help
improve her quality of life . But, I
guess they don 't go for that kind of
intelligence where they 're listening to
banjo 's playing in the background !
Whatever ! Laura
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 07-20-04 01:00am
Saying "you need to get her to a place
where she get some help" implies a home it
certainly in no way suggests assessment
& treatment as required surely even a
lollipop can comprehend the difference or
perhaps you expect people to read your
mind as well as the words you post. If
you have a suggestion I suggest you make
it clear rather than hoping someone will
be able to read your mind.
On a cultural side note - banjos are
played in your country not mine "banjo"
here is the nickname of one of our poets.
Perhaps you should try finding out what
you are talking about befoer you open your
mouth.
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lollipop4u
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 79 Location: pottsboro
Yes, In Fact, It Does ... Posted: 07-21-04 12:12pm
Imply that she go to any er anywhere in
our country ( banjo 's or no banjo 's )
and, let the er doc decide, whether or
not, she needs a quote unquote " psych
eval " ! So, igno, why not have some more
fun grading others ? Those who can 't ...
Teach ! Have a " hey day " as that 's
all you will ever be ! That 's all you
could be ! None of us ever liked you .
We all just felt sorry for you . That 's
the only reason anybody anywhere ever read
anything you ever had to say ! You
said," one of the authors is named banjo "
. Yes, and my favorite color is purple !
You are very simply making it easier and
easier for others to see your poor logic !
Thanks once again, laura ps response to
purple 's response !
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Such a Tiny Mind Posted: 07-22-04 06:47am
You have my sympathy since the only things
you seem able to do are to endeavour to
put others down & to have those who
seek help feel in greater need or send
them in search or trouble & expense.
This lady is merely old - nowhere did her
daughter indicate that she was causing any
harm or trouble so why upset her
unnecessarily & hurt her feelings by
having her daughter take her for a psych
evaluation - how traumatic &
dehumanising when it is so totally
unnecessary.
Also such an evaluation could well lead to
alot of basically unnecessary expense.
As to your personal attack & claims
that no-one likes me - well others can
speak for themselves & again my
sympathy to you that your life is so
lacking that personal attack is all you
are capable of.
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sandyallen
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 4580
Posted: 07-22-04 15:37pm
Lollipop4u needs to chill out and take a
pill, if you would read some of her other
posts you would know that she is the one
that needs a psych eval., she thinks she
knows it all and likes to be in control.
Purple333 has helped a lot of people and I
feel, along with others has given some
good advice!
Lollipop4u, I do not like to judge, but
you said in another post that you have
been an lvn for 15 years, I have been in
the nursing field for a heck of a lot
longer, I feel, along with others that you
might think about a new career, or a life!
Now, go ahead and bash me as I know you
are totally, rude!
Sincerely,
sandy
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 07-22-04 22:33pm
Sandy,
thanks!! :d I like most of us can be
abrupt at times but I try to be helpful.
a psychiatrist that specializes ... In
... Care ... For the elderly !
Alzheimers affects 1 in 10 over age 65
& 1 in 5 over age 85 ! So, this would
be the most common assumption ! Peace be
with you, laura
