My mom can be very lucid and aware most of the time (she's almost 90 y/o) but then be rather frightening. She called me at the grocery store about 8:00pm and said she had just wakened up and didn't know if it was night or day and was confused. Couldn't get her "bearings" and wasn't sure if she should have taken her 7:30 meds or not. Took abit of taking to her to convince her it was night time. Simple things she is totally confused or forgetful about yet can do other things rather well.
Please keep reading the advice from the wonderful community. People do understand what you're going through.
Carol