A
hallucination is nothing but an abnormal sensory perception, usually visual or
auditory. It takes place when someone is conscious. In
simpler words, hallucination is the state of mind when one sees or hears
something that is not at all present there. Hallucinations in the elderly may be a common scene for those who
have senior members in their families. It’s crucial to recognize the symptoms
and seek proper medication to normalize the situation.
Why do elderly people suffer from hallucinations?
There is no
fixed cause of why elderly people hallucinate. Psychiatric disorders like
bipolar disorder or depression can result in hallucinations. Doctors have
pointed out some causes of the suffering among elderly people.
➔
Alzheimer’s
disease or dementia
➔
Side
effects caused out of medications
➔
Delirium
➔
Charles
Bonnet Syndrome
➔
Bereavement
➔
Illness
➔
Hearing
or vision loss
➔
Epilepsy
➔
Excessive
Intake of drug or alcohol
How can you recognize elderly hallucinations or dementia?
Symptoms of
hallucinations remain unnoticed for quite some time. This may be due to a lack
of knowledge among common people about hallucinations. Elderly members often do not express their
hallucinations in fear of embarrassment. The following symptoms can help you to
point out whether your beloved elderly ones are hallucinating.
❏
Anxiety
or irritation
❏
A
serious change in behavior
❏
Delusions
❏
Confusion
❏
Memory
loss
❏
Difficulty
in speaking or expressing opinions
❏
Heightened
sense of awareness
❏
Change
in the sense of judgment
❏
Withdrawal
❏
Insomnia
How you can handle hallucinations in old age in your near ones
You should
consult with psychiatrists for knowing the better ways of hallucinations in the
elderly treatment. Furthermore, you must handle elderly people with great care
to feel free to express their problems. Rather than being rude to them for
their irritating behaviors, try to be their mental support.
1.
Decide if a response is required:
The first
thing you have to do is to make sure whether hallucination is bothering elderly
people at your home. If the case is not major, you may not call attention to
it. But, you have to keep an eye on whether the problem is getting serious.
The other
family members need to accept that it's a symptom of dementia and isn't causing
distress. When hallucinations upset them or feel unsafe, you have to comfort
them by diverting their minds. Allow them to do the activities that they enjoy.
Engage them with junior members of your family so that they stay active and
happy.
2. Keep patience, and don't argue with them:
Older people
who hallucinate cause worries to their loved ones. Particularly hallucinations
in the elderly at night are quite annoying.
Still, it is
advised that you should be patient while listening to what they are trying to
say. In such situations, you must neither contradict them nor overreact to
their problems. You have to understand that they are considering something real
for dementia.
Stay calm and
try to make them realize that nothing has happened. If they think you do not
believe them, they may get more agitated.
3. Verify the truth and reassure them:
You must not
dismiss auditory hallucinations in the elderly. Never pass silly comments like
they are irritating, or there's nothing to upset them more. Allow them to say
what they have experienced so that they feel safe and secure.
Focus on
their problems and be kind to them. Ensure that you are never highlighting the
fact that they are hallucinating and disturbing others. Reassure them by
emphasizing on their claims.
You don’t
have to pretend that you hear the same thing as them. Just provide them the
support they need at such a critical moment. Do whatever you need to relieve
them from anxiety or fear.
4. Change the environment for better results:
To reduce visual hallucinations in the elderly,
you can change the environment where they are hallucinating. If it's not
possible to change the environment, at least keep them away from the triggers
that can worry them.
When visual
stimulation is causing a problem for them, remove the things that result in a
problem. For example, a mirror can act as a source of fear or confusion. Even
their own reflections on mirrors can make them afraid when the room has dim
lights.
Final Lines
With proper
care and support, you can keep them calm and contended. Medications may not
always work well to treat hallucinations in the elderly. So, spend more time
with them to help them overcome their fear and anxiety.
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