She's in her 80s and is a resident at the assisted living place where I work. She's had it out for me all night tonight. Called me a lazy bitch, said she was going to report me (for what I have no idea), told me to quit when I apologized for not having her mail (even though I wasn't there when the mail came and she supposedly already got it), cussed me out for not looking at her right, yelled at me for not working (even though talking to her was stopping me), basically was just screaming and putting me down for about 10 minutes about three times she came up to my desk. And then the kicker - "You'd better watch what's behind you. You never know when someone might come up behind and do something." I was like "[her name], threatening people isn't very nice." And she was like "You just watch yourself." I know she's older and has dementia or alzheimer's, but still...a threat on my life? Really? And she looks like such a sweet little lady. She's always been nice before, but tonight it's like I've a target on my forehead. I don't know if I should do anything or not. I'll tell her care staff what happened, but I doubt they'll take it seriously.

I'm sure there's a discussion or something in there somewhere...

It sounds like she might be in the beginning to moderate stage of dementia. What you described is characteristic, like she didn't know what she was saying half the time, was confused and/or delusional. If this is the case, she might also not always know who she's talking to.

She's probably worried cuz the grim reaper is coming for her tbh

Or, more seriously, it sounds like she's having a mental episode triggered by the onset of Dementia/Alzheimer's. Sudden changes in personality/behavior can be a sign of this. I'd probably alert whatever medical team member is in charge of her.

I agree with what the others are saying. I've had several Dementia/Alzheimer's threaten me before at work. I usually just ignore them and tell the nurse when she/he comes in (I'm a patient sitter). I usually get a good laugh when they yell, "god is going to get you!" and I tell them I don't believe in god. The look of fear in their eyes is like I'm the devil himself.

One piece of advice is never get yourself cornered with these patients. Always have an escape route. They can turn physically violent in a blink of an eye. My heart goes to them and their families and it is a horrible disease but you need to be able to protect yourself. And let me tell you, it's always the sweet, little old ladies that can pack a punch. I've been punched, hit, screamed at, etc by these patients and I can't even be mad at them because it's not them. It's the horrible disease.

Anyway, sorry that happened to you. If you are really upset about it, talk to your boss. More than likely this patient won't remember what happened but your boss can properly document it for the future.

Med staff already knew. Apparently I wasn't the only one she was talking like that to yesterday. Too bad. :/ I'm lucky that the desk I'm at is a closed one that has walls around it. So if she or anyone else ever decides I'm the devil himself, they can't do anything about it. Horrible diseases.

I know how it is to deal with people with Dementia, My grandmother has it and we tend to put her on some medication when she is being a bit well mean. One the nurses that watch her have to give her paper and plastic silverware, cups and plates because when she is in a bad mood she will throw anything and everything at you. She also likes to accuse my family about stealing money which is really going to the home she is in. Some people with Dementia can go from bitter to the nicest person you know. One lady at her nursing home walk around all the time, and she loses more weight because they cant get her to sit long enough to eat, but she gives everyone hugs and kisses their heads or arms and then tell them "I have to pee" that whole "I have to pee" phrase is kinda her catch phrase. But she is one of the sweetest old ladies I know.

A horrible, tragic disease indeed that can only bury one deeper in obilvion and delusion. My maternal grandfather has Alzheimer's in an advanced stage at which he doesn't recognize his own family.

It was a smart move to make sure the facility's staff knew the situation with this woman. Hopefully they will keep her better supervised now.

does it make me a bad person if i admit that i don't like old people? (i also don't like kids so...?) you should probably tell someone in case something does happen. sorry that you feel like you're in danger. old peeps are cray

No, of course not. You probably just don't have the patience for them. I don't like children either, lol. And some older people I don't really care for either. I think it's how some of them have such a sense of entitlement. It drives me buggy sometimes.

Talk to your social services people and make sure its added to her case note/behavior plan.

Dementia and such can unfortunately make itself extra known through violence and agression, especially when the person is an unfamiliar environment. Unfamiliar in the way that it hasn't been there all there life, as knew memories are hard to form with the disease, if at all. Try not to think that it is actually fully her saying it.

EDIT: THough no I get what you mean, it is frustrating. I am currently looking after my nan who has very early stages of dementia, and whilst she isn't agressive she is frustrating as hell, cooking for her is near impossible. She likes plain pasta, but the other day the plain pasta ( with chicken drumstick on side lol) that I made for her didn't taste nice...gods know why...

My grandma has it, and she was acting all rude/aggressive to people but it was due to the medication she was on.

She is at a nursing home not doing so well. A lot of crazy stuff happened when she was at my place, and I am glad she is not here anymore.

If she has Alzheimer's or anything like that, it isn't too surprising that she'd act like this. My grandpa had it and my grandma had dementia. You could let the care staff know that she seemed agitated and aggressive, because that could be something they'd like to know. Sorry that you had to go through this though. It isn't ever easy having anyone be that angry with you, regardless of the circumstances.

I am living with my grandmother that has dementia. (My mom is taking care of her) All I can say is that just think those cases like they are children. It is really sad to see but my grandmother is becoming so childish that we have to just treat her like one. She forgets things constantly, she only wants to eat cheeseburgers and chocolate (anything else she won't eat), and she tries to blame her actions on other people and pick a fight. She has no idea what you are saying to her half the time, she can't comprehend anything anymore. I wouldn't be too concerned over a death threat, they probably didn't even know who they were talking to or what they were saying at the time. Just always remember to be careful around people like this.