2 mnths ago dad fell & was hospitalized. He's on oxygen, and is now very confused, hallucinates & imagines

Not only is he forgetful, but calls items and animals wrong names. He also says he can't tell our pets apart. Doc thinks it's due to high carbon dioxide level from oxygen use. Also could be Alzheimer's brought on by sickness (he had severe bronchitis when hospitalized/with high fever). He's also irratable and irrational. He asks the same questions over and over. Calls cats "dogs". Called an oxygen tank a snow blower. Says he can't tell the cats apart. Doesn't always understand simple explanations, etc. ANY IDEAS OR COMMENTS? i've been very stressed, and need ideas to keep my sanity through all of this. He was not checked for a stroke and WILL NOT go to the doctor or have any more tests. He even turned the home health nurse away twice. He was on an antidepressant for a week after returning home, but this caused extreme anxiousness and restlessness. We tried turning oxygen level down at Doc's request, but dad feels like he can't breath at a lower level.

I would have to trust medical doctors in this case. If you aren't getting satisfaction (answers) from one, seek advice from another one. It could be that your dad's medication is causing his mental capacity to diminish. My mother-in-law's heart doctor wanted to commit her to a nursing home because her mental capacity diminished severely after a heart attack. After much research on my own, I found out that the doctor placed her on a new medication, at an unreasonable dosage, and it caused all of her mental symptoms. The doctor was upset because we were basically telling him what was wrong, but in the end, her medication was decreased, and she stayed in the hospital until she was released ... with all her mental capacities. Keep digging...keep asking questions ... research all the medication he's taking ... and use the internet. Best wishes to all of you.

http://en.limcn.com
the web have a lot of info

Could he have injured his brain when he fell? It is possible he had a stroke too. It's impossible to know, really.

Call with any problem, Anytime:
Girls and Boys Town National Hotline
Phone: 1-800-448-3000
Email: Hotline@girlsandboystown.org
They have the trained professionals
to advise you on this. Please call. <}:-})

Hon, talk with his doctor and have him, temporarily, put in a term care facility. Now, don't get all bent about putting dad in a nursing home, that isn't what this is. A term care facility will help take care of dad, monitor him all through the day and get his meds and oxygen regulated, then he can come home again!! It's the best thing for both of you right now.

Talk with his doctor and see what you can work out. It really is in his AND your best interest for a few months.~

You didn't say how old he was. You didn't say what his injury was.

So this may not mean anything at all. When older people have accidents, even ones in which they don't hit their heads, they can develop a subdural hematoma. The symptoms may not show up for weeks or months. Since it is treatable, it is something you can consider.

I recently read something about there being new evidence that high levels of oxygen can cause mild brain damage. I wish I could remember where I saw it...I think it may have been the most recent issue of Scientific American Mind. You can try checking their website.

I work in a nursing home and reahbilatation center and we see alot of this. Depending on age i would say check for stroke, check meds that could be causing mental alterations, next check for UTI's...they cause the elderly to act terrible. I would bet on the stroke.