Does your loved one see, hear, or feel things that aren’t there? Do they believe someone is watching over them, even when there is no evidence to support the fact? These episodes occur in Dementia patients due to changes in brain chemistry, coexisting conditions, and other environmental factors. These distressing symptoms affect the memory, thinking, and overall perception of an individual living with Dementia.
So, how can you help those experiencing these challenges? It is appropriate medications and specialized memory care facilities that can effectively manage hallucinations and other dementia symptoms in an individual. Many communities offer support with assisted living in Brookings. However, choose reliable communities for assisted living, memory care, or independent living facilities that provide compassionate support and effective treatment options to your loved ones.
This blog will outline everything about Dementia symptoms, including hallucinations and effective strategies to manage the challenges.
What are Hallucinations?
A hallucination is an instance in which a person perceives something that does not exist. This may include seeing and hearing things, smelling the nonexistent scent, or conversing with an imaginary person. These can be as simple as flashes of light or as complex as scenes or motion pictures with people, beasts, or odd situations.
Types of Hallucinations in Dementia
Visual hallucinations are the most nomadic. However, dementia patients may also experience;
- Auditory hallucinations: where such individuals hear non-existing voices or sounds, including music.
- Olfactory hallucinations: In which a smell that is not there – e.g., smoke or perfume – is perceived.
- Tactile hallucinations: Where sensations such as touch or insects crawling on the skin without a cause are experienced.
- Gustatory hallucinations: such as perceiving a metallic taste when nothing is present in the mouth.
Causes of Hallucinations
Hallucinations secondary to dementia can be understood within the constraints of specific pathological changes within the brain. These phenomena are widespread among patients with Lewy body dementia or dementia in Parkinson’s disease. Nonetheless, there are further explanations as to why one may experience hallucinations:
Medical Disorders
Certain conditions, such as high fever, seizures, strokes, or inflammatory processes, can lead to delirium, which may lead to the occurrence of hallucinations.
Drugs
Certain medications can cause hallucinations, especially some Parkinson’s disease treatments. Patients taking Parkinson’s medications should not stop them suddenly. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider first. Stopping these medications abruptly can lead to serious complications.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
This is experienced by elderly persons who have lost sight because of age-related degenerative disease. Hence, it is not a post-stroke hallucination or pathological psychosis.
Delirium
A life-threatening illness is caused by the body being unable to function normally because of severe illness, infection, or dehydration. It may result in confusion or even vision disturbances.
How are Hallucinations Experienced?
Hallucinations in dementia can range from very mild to very intense and can occur as often as every few minutes or as rarely as once a month. They may be short or long and could involve any number of senses at a time.
For instance, a person might hear voices and see things that aren’t there, leading to feelings of distress and fear. Dealing with hallucinations can be particularly challenging because they are unpredictable. It requires constant care and attention from a caregiver and assisted living facility to enhance the quality of life.
Identifying Hallucinations
Identifying dementia and recognizing hallucinations can be challenging. It’s important to distinguish between true hallucinations and misperceptions. Here are a few tips to help:
Listen Carefully
Pay attention to what the individual is trying to tell you. You should look for details about their experiences to better understand their perspectives.
Check Hearing and Vision
Test the client’s hearing aids or glasses to ensure they work correctly. Sometimes, severe sensory input impairment is misdiagnosed as a hallucination.
Supporting a Person with Hallucinations
How caregivers respond to hallucinations will determine the life and well-being of the affected. Here are some of the responses:
Seek Medical Help
Hallucinations that occur frequently are alarming. It’s important to seek help from a general practitioner and consider the possibility of an underlying medical cause for these hallucinations. Prompt evaluation of the symptoms in an individual can lead to appropriate treatment.
Stay Calm and Reassuring
When dealing with hallucinations, it’s essential to remain calm and reassuring. You should clearly understand what is happening with your loved ones in a gentle manner. You should avoid arguing with them as this can increase their distress. Instead, you should focus on validating their feelings and offering support.
Change the Setting
Moving to a quieter or more calming space may reduce triggers and create a soothing atmosphere. However, this also makes it easier for the individual to feel more at ease.
Provide Company
You should engage the individuals in conversation to help divert attention from auditory hallucinations. Learn more about the tips for handling conversations about Dementia care for your loved ones. Regular social interaction and companionship provide support and comfort to the sufferer. It creates a positive difference in their experience.
Treatment Options
Drug treatments for dementia patients suffering from hallucinations have adverse effects. However, there are some drugs:
- Anti-dementia drugs: This may aid in reducing hallucinations, particularly in Lewy body dementia.
- Antipsychotics: These are very effective in managing hallucinations but need to be used with a lot of care as they can sometimes pose severe side effects and thus have to be constantly reviewed.
Get in touch with a Health Professional!
Always be ready to provide as much description as possible for a consultation with a professional. You should discuss the following things:
- Describe: What one saw or sensed, the time of day, and the event it followed
- Duration and Location: Where and how long it lasted.
- Response: The reaction of the person and the words they could use in describing it
- Medication: A list that includes medications, over-the-counter drugs, and the dosages
- Medical History: Significant information about his general health condition, including chronic ones.
- Substance Use: Information on the use of alcohol and other drugs.
Stages of Dementia and Hallucinations
Hallucinations can occur at any phase of dementia but are more common as the disease progresses:
Early Stage
Few hallucinations take place in early-stage dementia. Most individuals remain primarily independent. Symptoms are mild.
Middle Stage
Most dementia patients hallucinate during this middle phase of dementia. Symptoms are visible, and more assistance is needed with everyday tasks.
Late Stage
At the late stage, hallucinations are as vivid, which might involve multiple senses, like seeing and hearing, to the extent of feeling things that never are. They are highly cared for and supported as their symptoms are much more severe and debilitating in this stage.
The Bottom Line
Treating dementia with hallucination symptoms can be challenging for both patients and caregivers. It’s crucial to understand the nature and causes of these hallucinations to provide the best support.
If you’re finding it difficult, consider seeking help from memory care assisted living communities and prioritize the help of your loved one. Remember, your loved ones are not alone—there are resources and people ready to help and support your loved ones in this journey.
For more information about assisted living in Brookings, contact Azalea Gardens Assisted Living Memory Care today. Our team is here to answer your questions and provide the support you need. Reach out to us today!
