CCaregiver Tips to Delusions and Halucinations in Dementia Patients

aregiving for a patient with dementia is exhausting and at times extremely challenging. It’s important to understand that individuals with dementia may experience feelings of suspicion or make accusations that may be hurtful. These behaviors are a result of the disease, and it’s vital not to take offense but to approach the situation with empathy and understanding.

Delusions, which are firmly held beliefs in things that are not real, may occur in middle to late stage Alzheimer’s. Confusion and memory loss can contribute to these untrue beliefs. It’s crucial to remember that these delusions are very real to the person with dementia, who is trying to navigate a world with declining cognitive function.

It’s essential for family members and caregivers to recognize that the disease causes suspicions and false accusations and does not reflect on them. If a person with Alzheimer’s is experiencing severe delusions, leading to a fear of selfharm or caregiver harm, or if the delusion or hallucination is distressing, a medical evaluation to determine the need for medication is important.

While non-drug approaches are the primary treatment for the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s, if these strategies are ineffective and symptoms are severe, medication may be necessary. It’s crucial to be aware that while antipsychotic medications can be effective, they are associated with an increased risk of stroke and death in older adults with dementia. Therefore, careful consideration of both the risks and benefits of medication is essential, and consulting with the doctor is advised before making a decision.

Here are some constructive tips for dealing with these situations:

• Approach the person’s concerns with empathy and reassurance. Let them know that you care about their feelings and understand their reality.

• Instead of arguing, allow the individual to express their ideas and acknowledge their opinions. Arguing just magni- fies any problem.

• Provide simple answers and avoid overwhelming the person with lengthy explanations or reasons that they won’t understand.

• Engage the individual in an activity or ask for their help with a chore, redirecting their focus to something positive.

• If the person is frequently searching for a specific item, consider duplicating it to alleviate their distress. For example, having multiple identical wallets available may be helpful if they’re always looking for their wallet.

A delusion is not the same thing as a hallucination. While delusions involve false beliefs, hallucinations are false perceptions of objects or events that are sensory in nature. When individuals with Alzheimer’s have a hallucination, they see, hear, smell, taste or even feel something that isn’t really there. When responding to hallucinations, be cautious. First, assess the situation and determine whether the hallucination is a problem for the person or for you. Is the hallucination upsetting? Is it leading the person to do something dangerous? Is the sight of an unfamiliar face causing the person to become frightened? If so, react calmly and quickly with reassuring words and a comforting touch. Do not argue with the person about what he or she sees or hears. If the behavior is not dangerous, there may not be a need to intervene. If you notice an increase in delusions or hallucinations or agitation please consult your loved one’s doctor as there are other illnesses that can cause these types of behavior. One common one is Urinary Tract Infections which are common in the elderly and those with limited mobility.

For more coping strategies on these topics and others dementia caregivers face seek a support group in your local area. In Clayton, the Dementia Support Group led by Mary Lou Faulkenberry and Suzanne Muir meets every Tuesday at 12:30 PM in the lower level of the Clayton Presbyterian Church located behind The Spotted Pig in downtown Clayton. For more information and resources please call 706782-2167.