What Makes Seniors with Dementia Hallucinate?

Changes in the brain can cause hallucinations during the middle and late stages of dementia. These misperceptions can be stressful for seniors with dementia and negatively impact their quality of life. Below are some of the reasons seniors hallucinate and what family caregivers should do in these situations. 

Paranoia

Over time, you may begin to notice an increase in suspicion, irritability, and aggression in your elderly loved one. These emotions can cause paranoia, which could develop into hallucinations. When this symptom isn’t controlled, your loved one may begin to hear things that aren’t there. 

You can reduce paranoia-related hallucinations by distracting your loved one with an object or favorite song or offering a snack. Maintaining structured routines can also avoid paranoia and prevent environmentally based fears, fatigue, and agitation in seniors with dementia. 

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregivers in Las Vegas can be a wonderful source of support. Families looking for top-rated senior home care providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.

Sundowning

Confusion is common in older adults with dementia, especially in the late afternoon hours and well into the night. This state of confusion is known as sundowning, and it can lead to many behavioral problems as well as hallucinations. 

Late-day uncertainty can cause seniors to see increased shadows and make it difficult to separate their dreams from reality. Keep a nightlight on during the night hours to reduce agitation and confusion that occurs when the surroundings are dark and unfamiliar. 

Poor Vision

Visual hallucinations can cause seniors with dementia to have distorted perceptions of the objects around them. For instance, your loved one may mistake a tall plant in the corner of a room for an actual person. 

Visual misperceptions are common because dementia causes damage to the visual system, resulting in vision loss or the inability to handle visual information transferred from the eyes to the brain. Therefore, colors may appear more vivid, your loved one may think the walls are breathing or speaking, or he or she may see patterns that aren’t there. 

When this happens, remain calm and offer reassurance. Don’t correct your loved one, because it might lead to combative behavior. Acknowledge your loved one’s feelings and offer words of encouragement. 

If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Las Vegas families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Medication

The medicines older adults are prescribed to treat dementia could increase their risk of delirium, which often leads to hallucinations. Delirium can occur because of memory impairment and disorientation caused by dementia. 

As the symptoms of the condition worsen, the delusions may increase. Your loved one may become irate and refuse to cooperate with you and other family caregivers. However, you need to find ways to ease your loved one’s mind and reduce the risk of delirium. 

Some of the most common contributing factors include infections and side effects of medication. If the rapid and unpredictable mood shifts continue, you need to let your parent’s doctor know immediately. The doctor can prescribe alternative medications or lower your loved one’s prescription dosages to reduce delirium and prevent hallucinations. 

Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Las Vegas families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. Call us today to learn about our comprehensive in-home care plans.