Dementia describes a group of symptoms including memory loss, impaired reasoning and behavioral changes that are severe enough that they interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, though there are several other causes. As the disease progresses, hallucinations and delusions may become evident.
Hallucinations and Delusions
Hallucinations occur when a person sees or hears things that aren’t actually there. Delusions occur when someone believes something that is not based on facts. These symptoms usually occur in the later stages of the disease, and can produce fear in both the person affected and those that care for them.
What your Parent is Experiencing
For those experiencing dementia, the world is a very different place than what they once perceived. Visual changes may be causing objects to appear flat and life a set of still pictures instead of a moving cinematic. Hallucinations can take on the form of your loved one seeing people that aren’t there or mistaking people that are there for someone else. Delusions result in paranoia such as someone is following them or trying to cause them harm or stealing from them. It’s important to remember when these situations occur that they are due to brain damage and not your parent’s personality. As a caregiver, your job is to try and keep them calm in the midst of their hallucinations.
Tips for Caregivers
- Make an appointment with their primary health care provider. The first mode of treatment is always non-medicinal due to stroke as a possible side-effect, however, in severe cases, antipsychotics are sometimes prescribed. Visit their ophthalmologist and audiologist as well to check both vision and hearing.
- Their experience is very real to them. Telling them it is not happening does little to appease them. Offer reassurance. Let them know you understand how they are feeling and what they are sensing, though it is not apparent to you. Calmly touching them or drawing their attention to you may help dispel the hallucination.
- Get them out of the environment they are in by walking them to a well-lit room. Provide an activity that the two of you can do together, distracting them from the event.
- Become aware of patterns in your parent’s hallucinations or delusions. Do they hear someone talking to them when the air-conditioner goes on? Do they see Aunt Mary when shadows form in the room? Do they see a stranger when they look in the mirror? Change their environment to produce the least chances of these behaviors from occurring. Produce a calm and relaxing ambiance to the best of your abilities.
This is a trying time for both you and your parent. Be sure to take some time to rejuvenate so you can continue to greet the days with enthusiasm and gratitude. Home care providers have cared for countless seniors facing this disease and know tips for communication and instilling peace in difficult times. Consider obtaining their services a few days a week in order to give you the respite you need to keep on keeping on.
If you or an aging loved one needs caregiver services in Davis, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
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