Hallucinations

Ann Teak

Registered User
Mar 3, 2019
33
0
Can I have help please. My husband has two types of dementia and is seeing people in the room who aren't there. The worst person is the man who demands money. In his lucid moments he realises what is happening, but at other times he becomes very upset and takes some time to be reassured. How do other members deal with this......is there any tips you can give me. We are both in our 80s.
 

Izzy

Volunteer Moderator
Aug 31, 2003
73,927
0
72
Dundee
That must be quite disturbing for both of you. Have you discussed the hallucinations with you husband‘s GP?

Neither my husband nor my mum had hallucinations so I have no personal experience of dealing with them. I wondered though if this fact sheet would be of any help to you?

 

Bunpoots

Volunteer Host
Apr 1, 2016
7,332
0
Nottinghamshire
When my dad had hallucinations I dealt with the situation as he saw it. I’ve stamped on invisible bugs and hoovered them up before and I’ve also seen carers in dad’s carehome do the same thing - which made me smile!

Have you tried firmly escorting the invisible man out of the house and telling him that he won’t be getting any money? I found that dad was happy if he could see me dealing with whatever was bothering him. I hope it works for you too.
 

Ann Teak

Registered User
Mar 3, 2019
33
0
That must be quite disturbing for both of you. Have you discussed the hallucinations with you husband‘s GP?

Neither my husband nor my mum had hallucinations so I have no personal experience of dealing with them. I wondered though if this fact sheet would be of any help to you?

Thank you for replying. I will certainly check that fact sheet.
 

Ann Teak

Registered User
Mar 3, 2019
33
0
Thank you for replying. I will certainly check that fact sheet.
Sorry I didn't reply to your other question. I have today written to our doctor requesting a phone call. It is difficult with lockdown. Also he is already on so many tablets.
 

Weasell

Registered User
Oct 21, 2019
1,778
0
What two types of dementia?
Is there any pattern to the events at all? Example time of day ?
I would try in my best headmistress voice to to address the hallucination, I would lay a ten pence coin on the table and say ‘I am sorry you are not welcome, this is all the money you will get, we are going to leave the room to give you your privacy to depart, I expect you gone when we re enter the room’?
Just something to try!
 

Weasell

Registered User
Oct 21, 2019
1,778
0
Another idea based on @Bunpoots post.
Go and get the kitchen broom.
Say to hubby ‘ where’s he gone‘ ?
When hubby points, go to that area and sweep the hallucination out of the room?
 

Ann Teak

Registered User
Mar 3, 2019
33
0
What two types of dementia?
Is there any pattern to the events at all? Example time of day ?
I would try in my best headmistress voice to to address the hallucination, I would lay a ten pence coin on the table and say ‘I am sorry you are not welcome, this is all the money you will get, we are going to leave the room to give you your privacy to depart, I expect you gone when we re enter the room’?
Just something to try!
Thank you for replying. I have been told vascular and alzheimer's. But I have just done an online course to try and understand his needs better and there really is no one or two types there seems to be a mixture of everything. I can see similarities with dewy bodies as well. It is such a shame because I have been able to keep his physical self fit by using a pedal machine. There is no pattern. I thank you for your suggestion, I am sure it would work for one time, I have used my sons saying they were going to deal with the man and my husband was reassured but not for long, he now says the sons are not doing what they said they would. I am just hoping I don't have to resort to more tablets for him. He rattles as it is.
 

Weasell

Registered User
Oct 21, 2019
1,778
0
I don’t think I have ever read of any ‘cure all’ for dealing with hallucinations, I think it’s more mix it up and wing it ?
I wondered about sundowning.
It is sometimes worth thinking about the lighting in the room?
 

Linton

Registered User
Jul 27, 2019
166
0
Hi.. My OH has Lewy body dementia and has hallucinations.. As others have said I go with the flow.. Don't sit where 'others' are sitting.. We go into the bedroom at 6or7when he's had enough of the 'visitors'
Usually worse in early morning and from 3in the afternoon.. Its a strange life I know.. But this way its kind of managed.... Xx
 

Weasell

Registered User
Oct 21, 2019
1,778
0
Hi.. My OH has Lewy body dementia and has hallucinations.. As others have said I go with the flow.. Don't sit where 'others' are sitting.. We go into the bedroom at 6or7when he's had enough of the 'visitors'
Usually worse in early morning and from 3in the afternoon.. Its a strange life I know.. But this way its kind of managed.... Xx
Anyone managing Lewy Body has my respect!
Do you have any tips at all for managing the ‘visitors ‘ ?
It may be just something that works every now and then ?
 

Lemondrizzle

Registered User
Aug 26, 2018
246
0
All the above tips are what we had to use. It was trial and error as to what would work at any particular time.

I used to tell "visitors" my MIL was tired and could they please leave for today and then escort them out. Always struck me that I had to send these away yet my MIL's hostess mode went into overdrive when she did have real visitors who she never sent away.
 

Weasell

Registered User
Oct 21, 2019
1,778
0
All the above tips are what we had to use. It was trial and error as to what would work at any particular time.

I used to tell "visitors" my MIL was tired and could they please leave for today and then escort them out. Always struck me that I had to send these away yet my MIL's hostess mode went into overdrive when she did have real visitors who she never sent away.
I suppose what I am asking is that I have never heard anyone say
‘those people don’t exist mum’
and then mum says
‘ oh ok son now you point it out they have disappeared’!
Is the way to win to play along with the hallucinations?
 

Weasell

Registered User
Oct 21, 2019
1,778
0
I suppose what I am asking is that I have never heard anyone say
‘those people don’t exist mum’
and then mum says
‘ oh ok son now you point it out they have disappeared’!
Is the way to win to play along with the hallucinations?
The reason for my interest is I have slivered sideways for work during covid. My colleges seem to think the best way to deal with hallucinations is to deny their existence VERY VERY LOUDLY! I am not quite convinced ! So am on a mission to learn all I can about the subject. I consider the contributors to this site total experts and seek any tips at all!
 

Weasell

Registered User
Oct 21, 2019
1,778
0
I tried telling my dad his hallucinations weren't real...he decided I was either blind or mad!!
Haha yes that is the response my colleagues receive! Maybe with‘ stupid ‘added to the blind and mad!
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
24,920
0
South coast
Whether someone can recognise that hallucinations are real or not depends on whether they have insight or not. There is a chap on here with dementia who has hallucinations and he had a dog that would aid him in knowing whether something was real or not. I remember his posts and how devastated he was when the dog died.

Generally, though, people with dementia lack insight and cannot be persuaded that their hallucinations are not real, whatever you do.
 

Linton

Registered User
Jul 27, 2019
166
0
Going along with it is sure the best way.. My OH does know I ca t see them but it doesn't make it easier for him.. The o ly time I insist it's not true is when he thi ks I'm leaving with a 'visitor'.. I reasure him I m not.. Give him a cuddle and tell him I m not going anywhere.. Which settles him... Then I go into the kitchen and have a cry.. And carry on... Married 57 years....
 

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