Rosalyn..No I can't image you mother acting that way because I actually lived it the same exact way as you are..My mother was on Excelon patch and Namanda...Very familiar with these meds..I too was 59 and my mom was 88..Yes she would tell me what to do and constantly ask me to take her to go see her parents..She would walk right out the door and start walking towards her parents house..I would get in the car and follow her to see if she remembered the way. .at times she did and at times she didnt...She would get back in the car and I drove her to my grandparents home (they have passed on and my aunt owns the house)..I would tell her they went to Italy to visit relatives and woulf be home in a month...This was a once a day ritual. .Sometimes we would do this two times..I'd even let her knock on the door and of course no one was there so my mom would say " oh they are not home". 15 minutes later she would want to go back again not even remembering we were right there. .At times my mom thought I was one of her sister and she would argue with me as though she was arguing with one sister in particular. .Since I knew much about this disease I know how to handle her changing dispoditions...at times she was child like, at times she was happy, at times she felt my father left her (he passed away unexpectedly a month prior to this), she called her nephews on the pp hone looking for their mother (her sister who passed away a few years ago of Dimentia). What I did to keep my sanity in line was to stay in her conversation. .I didn't try to bring her back to normal mind..I went with her in her Dimentia mind..This kept her from arguing and it keep us in her world..Where she unknowingly felt safe...and safe us what they need to feel...They come and go in reality and I did the same thing to keep her calm. .As this disease progresses it does get worse, especially if they were active people..They could be quick too...mail was missing, my wallet in my purse was missing, everything went missing....They believe these items are theirs and they go and put them somewhere and then of course forget where they put or hide things...I needed to keep my purse and keys in my pocket or car..If she found them they became hers because she believed they were hers...She also kept an immaculate house therefore nothing was left on the furniture. .If it was, it was hers, and she would put them some where...it goes on and on..even to the point where they don't sleep any longer...Days and nights become reversed for them..My mom would wake me at 2 am to take her to her mother's house and she was dressed up to go...This is very scary..Sleep was not something you do when you are a caregiver...It's a horrible disease and I started to know I need help and I did get help in the home only because my parents had paid into LTC and I PUT THIS Coverage In Effect AND Had 6 Girls come in 5 days a week..My niece even moved in with my mom and she never ever slept the whole time...The worse part is when they don't recognize you and think you are a stranger in their home...They might hurt that person physically. .This did not happen to us in my mom's case although it was the case ina friends case....Sorry I went on and on about Dimentia..but iit's a horrible disease and the individuals suffering from Dimentia don't realize they become someone you don't even know anylonger...It's heartbreaking. .
This is going to be tough on you, I do not doubt it...Just remember when you turn your back for 2 minutes your mom could have just walked out the door and they are fast..They don't know time even if you just told them 5 min ago..They don't remember...Their short time memory is what they are losing...You can have wonderful conversations of the past which will suprise you think everything is ok...
You'll make your mom something to est..she will eat it..and tell you she hasn't eaten anything all day. .They just forget and can't recall...It's not a game with them. .They really don't remember..Don't argue with them because they really believe what's in their present mind at the moment. .Don't remind them they forgot this will only bring on aggitation in your mom..
What I will tell you to do is turn off all shut off valves to a gas stove..Take the knows off all electric stoves and put them in a cup only you know where they are...Do this with the oven also..hide the toaster and etc...you don't want your mom trying to cook something at 4 am and then forgetting something is cooking..Oh there is much much more..
See how you do with no cymbalta. .and if you feel your withdrawls are becoming intolerable you can start to bead count...Please hide your pills in the trunk of your car because your mom may think they are hers or throw them away or hide them somewhere also..Please keep track of your mail or have your mail be held for you at the post office so you can pick it up...
Take care, try to get volunteers in to help, take all help that's offered...You need your own time alone to be strong enough to handle the difficult days of your mom demands (unintentional )..But alarms on top of outside doors so you can hear if she goes out..Please but an alarm on the basement door so she doesn't trip down the stairs. ..
You really will not have a life of your own unless you get some help in..It's 24/7 and dimentia individuals will go 24/7 for three to four days straight...I wont hold back anything or any stage of Dimentia to you...It's also very heartbreaking
I will be right here to help you as much as you need it...
Best to you...
clara 
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