What are hallucinations and delusions?
The first thing to remember, hallucinations are usually false perceptions regarding taste, smell, and fears that do not exist. This typically occurs in elderly patients with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Trending on the same path, delusions are a false understanding of what is happening in the present. Both hallucinations, as well as delusions occur in individuals who have dementia. Dealing with this day out and being careful not to irritate the condition any further can cause strain on you as the caregiver. Here are some great books to help you now.
Living in fear
Another critical point is that the journey of old age is not easy. And our loved ones are often victims of other kinds of disease conditions. Of the several debilitating conditions that our elderly suffer from. Hallucinations and delusions are the ones that almost cripple the ability of our elderly to live everyday life. The elderly with delusions often perceive that their relatives or caregivers are planning all sorts of activities to kill them. Living with such notions makes life difficult for our loved ones as they constantly fear something that does not exist.
Learning about the facts of hallucinations and delusions
Hallucinations and delusions are distinct conditions affecting our loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia of another type. An elderly with hallucination have a sensory imagination. For example, they feel, hear, or taste something that does not exist. When a loved one with Alzheimer’s experiences hallucinations. They seem to feel or hear or sense something that is not true. For example, they may feel bugs crawling on their arms and legs. Or they may see their relatives who no longer exist and may also relive old experiences. All such conditions sum up hallucinations.
Additional facts of hallucinations
Hallucinations and delusions are distinct conditions affecting our loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia of another type. Our loved ones with hallucinations have sensory imagination. For example, they feel, hear, or taste something that does not exist. When our loved one with Alzheimer’s experiences hallucinations, they seem to feel, hear, or sense something untrue. For example, they may feel bugs crawling up on their arms and legs, see their relatives who no longer exist, and relive old experiences. All such conditions sum up hallucinations.
Additional facts of delusions
On the other hand, delusions have nothing to do with sensory experiences; but false beliefs make matters difficult for our elderly. Such a condition involves our elderly loved ones living in constant fear of something. For example, they may doubt people around them to rob them of their property or money or may even feel people or their relatives are planning to kill them.
Causes of hallucinations and delusions
Hallucinations and delusions in the elderly with Alzheimer’s are primarily caused due to changes in the brain. However, lenses and medication side effects can also cause our elderly to perceive false beliefs and fall prey to things or situations that are not false do not exist.
Role of caregivers in helping the elderly deal with hallucinations and delusion
Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s who suffers from hallucinations and delusions is difficult. Easier said than done; caregivers have to face a lot of trouble when caring for their loved ones with an altered state of mind. However, here are some of the tips that can help all caregivers effectively deal with their elderly loved ones to help them overcome hallucinations and delusions:
- Please consult your doctor: Understanding the exact cause behind hallucinations and delusions is always necessary. Therefore, it is best to consult the doctor and take their advice about the causes and the subsequent course of treatment.
- Do not try to rationalize with your loved one: As a caregiver, you must understand that the sudden change in behavior in the form of delusions and hallucinations is not deliberate. Your seniors have no control over this and, at the same time, are unaware of their outrageous behavior. It is just impossible to rationalize with them in such cases. Trying to do so would do more harm than good and exert stress on you and your loved one. Therefore, whenever you see your seniors exhibiting their suspicions or fear regarding people or situations, it is always best to hear them out and change their focus immediately.
What should be done
In such cases, employ the 3 Rs – Reassure – Respond, and Refocus. First, reassure your loved ones that everything is fine and that you are there for them. Next, respond positively that everything will be fine and there is nothing to worry about. Finally, refocus – once you can successfully calm your senior, shift their focus to other activities or people.
Additional help with hallucinations and delusions
- Assess the situation or the problem: In most cases, hallucinations or delusions follow a particular pattern. So, the next time your senior experiences hallucination, figure out the situation or people that triggered the specific belief or behavior. Many caregivers have the habit of recording details of such triggers to try and control the situation next time.
- Find the actual problem: Many hallucinations and delusions can be successfully prevented by addressing the real issue. You can try and engage your seniors in some activity requiring active participation. Moreover, hallucinations and delusions result from your seniors’ poor vision and decreased hearing ability. Therefore, regular medical checkups to keep their sensory organs working fine can also help prevent these conditions. Make surgically make your senior’s room does not have many distractions in light and loud noise, as these serve as potential factors for triggering hallucinations and delusions.
I am here to help
Overseeing this can cause stress because you can’t be in 2 places at one time: taking care of your business and your loved one. Look into hiring some help. This will allow you to rest and ensure your loved one is properly cared for. Or maybe you want to spend more time with your loved one while taking a break from redundant business tasks like sending emails, returning calls, or organizing files. Let’s chat about how I can serve you so you can take care of your business and your loved ones.
Conclusion
It is certainly not easy to deal with seniors suffering from hallucinations and delusions. However, our elderly loved ones are not responsible for such behavior; therefore, it becomes our prime responsibility to comfort them by all means. By closely working with the doctor and using the tips mentioned above, it would certainly be possible for you to overcome hallucinations and delusions effectively. For more information, check out this site.
