In the last few months my boyfriend's mom has fallen multiple times. She is starting to see & hear people that do not exist to the point that she is making meals for them and food will be laying all over the counter top at times. Her right shoulder started drooping and seems to be getting worse. She is unbalanced when she stands and turns around so we got her a cane but I think next we will need to get her a walker. She is taking very tiny steps. Lastly, there are times when she isn't recognizing her surroundings even though she is in her own home. Doctors have tried various medications but I feel we aren't getting anywhere. Can you please offer your input on what she seems to be displaying. Thank-you.
When my Mom was started on a pain medication for back pain that was so severe that she could not get out of bed, she started to see people and to have some very interesting conversations with them. She would actually pause in her talking as though she was listening to the "invisible" person speak. It sounded just like she was talking on the telephone, only she wasn't.
You can also research online and find out what conditions are treated by the meds that were prescribed.
x-rayed? Has she been checked for a UTI?
The hallucinations can be part of the dementia or can be caused by medication or made worse by a UTI.
She might also benefit from physical therapy. They would be able to help with the cane vs walker and balance issues.
Also be sure to read all you can about her condition. If she has been diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s then study the symptoms and stages so you can understand better what she is going through.
I see from your profile that Mom has Alzheimer's/dementia, so this could be another phase that she is going into.
Yes, get Mom a walker, as canes I noticed are really not that good for balance. My elderly Dad found such a difference using his rolling walker, that he ditched his cane.
Strongly suggest he get his mother to another doctor for a full workup, including a test for a UTI and a geriatric dementia screening by a psychologist - and then based on the results, it may be time for her to be placed where she can receive round the clock monitoring and care (depending on her age an the outcome of the tests, of course).