Marion Somers, Ph.D., author of Elder Care Made Easier: Doctor Marion’s 10 Steps to Help You Care for an Aging Loved One, suggests joining them in their version of reality. Instead, try a more reassuring and comforting approach. This might lead to anger or aggressive behavior. If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, don’t try to convince them that their hallucinations aren’t real.
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How to help someone with dementia who’s hallucinating
Fear that their home is being monitored or invaded by intruders.The belief that an imposter has replaced their relative, which is known as Capgras syndrome.In particular, paranoid delusions can be distressing for both the patient and their caregivers.Įxamples of delusions in a person with dementia include: While some delusions won’t disrupt daily life, others can be especially stressful. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) Delusionsĭelusions are a common symptom of dementia that usually appear in the middle and late stages.Hallucinations in the elderly aren’t only a symptom of dementia. It’s one of several symptoms you might notice, which could also include delusions, depression, apathy, and a lack of willpower. People with vascular dementia can experience hallucinations, too. Experiencing hallucinations in the earlier stages - especially visual hallucinations - is common in seniors with Lewy body dementia. However, they can happen for brief periods at any stage. Seeing people or animals that aren’t there (caregivers may observe a loved one with dementia talking to themselves as they attempt to interact with what they’re hallucinating)įor people with Alzheimer’s, hallucinations are more common during the middle and later stages of the disease.Examples of common hallucinations include: Hallucinationsĭementia hallucinations can be relatively harmless or very frightening for patients and caregivers alike. For people with dementia, delusions are typically more common than hallucinations.īoth delusions and hallucinations may worsen at night if your loved one is prone to sundowning. If it becomes unmanageable, they might prescribe medication to help minimize these behaviors.ĭelusions from dementia are fixed false beliefs that are often caused by declining memory, whereas someone who’s hallucinating could see, smell, feel, taste, or hear things that don’t exist.
Additionally, it’s important to share your observations with their doctor. You can assist your loved one who’s experiencing dementia hallucinations and delusions by learning about proper ways to respond. They somehow know that you aren’t taking their thoughts and feelings seriously.” Gwyther, MSW, LCSW, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University and director of the Duke Center for Aging’s Alzheimer’s Family Support Program.
“It is not helpful to argue or rationally explain why something happened,” says Lisa P. While taking this approach seems logical to us, experts say it could backfire. More than likely, your first instinct has been to help by convincing them that what they’re experiencing isn’t real. Perhaps you’ve noticed your aging family member talking to people who aren’t there or even showing aggression toward you during these episodes. For a caregiver, witnessing a loved one’s hallucinations or delusions can be more troubling than any other dementia-related changes.
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