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| Quick Answer: Dementia delusions and hallucinations are best managed by staying calm rather than arguing, acknowledging the emotion behind what your loved one is experiencing, and gently redirecting their attention. Identifying triggers, improving lighting, and reducing clutter also help. If episodes become sudden, severe, or unsafe, professional in-home dementia care in North Austin can provide the consistent, trained support a family alone may not be able to sustain. |
Dementia is a disease that progresses in different stages and ways. No two people have the same experience. While memory loss is one thing, people with dementia also start experiencing hallucinations and delusions, which become challenging to deal with. They start seeing, feeling, hearing, or believing things that don’t actually exist or happen.
These experiences are frightening, and when they happen, family members may not know what to do or how to support their loved one.
Whether you are caring for your loved one yourself, or you have a caregiver, it’s vital to understand why staying calm in these situations is necessary and how to handle a person with dementia who is experiencing dementia delusions and hallucinations. This blog discusses some useful tips.
There is a difference between hallucinations and delusions.
A delusion means believing in something that isn’t true.
A hallucination means sensing, seeing, or hearing something that doesn’t exist.
As cognitive impairment progresses, these episodes become more common. However, these experiences don’t automatically mean that a person has dementia. Several factors can cause them, including infections, medication effects, dehydration, pain, vision or hearing problems, and other medical issues.
When a hallucination happens and your loved one says, “there is something” or “do you hear that?”, instead of saying, “there is nothing,” engage with them. Stay calm and ask what they hear or see.
You don’t have to agree that the hallucination is real, but denying it right away might aggravate the situation.
How you respond to the hallucination shapes what happens next.
Reassure your loved one instead of arguing.
Managing paranoia in dementia patients can be especially difficult when accusations are directed toward family members.
A person might insist that someone stole their wallet, moved their jewelry, or entered their bedroom. Telling them repeatedly that they are wrong can turn a confusing situation into an argument.
Try this:
Don’t take accusations personally; speak gently and reassure them that you understand.
Expert insight
“The instinct every family has is to correct the delusion, to prove it isn’t real. I understand why, but it almost never helps in the moment. What actually works is treating the emotion as real even when the belief isn’t. If someone is scared, they need reassurance first. The facts can wait.”
Akanksha Bist, MS, DPT, Owner of ComForCare North Austin:
Dementia behavioral symptoms at home are often triggered by their surroundings. Thus, you need to identify triggers that cause delusions or hallucinations.
Track when hallucinations, suspiciousness, agitation, or confusion occur. Consider whether they happen after poor sleep, during periods of excessive noise, around unfamiliar people, or at particular times of day.
Lighting can also affect perception. Shadows, reflections, television images, and poorly lit rooms can be misinterpreted by someone experiencing cognitive changes. Improving lighting and reducing visual clutter helps in some situations.
If hallucinations consistently occur at a certain time or under particular circumstances, discuss the pattern with the person’s healthcare provider.
In-home dementia safety strategies should address both everyday hazards and the possibility of unpredictable behavior.
Look at the home from your loved one’s perspective. Clear clutter from walkways, improve lighting, secure medications and potentially dangerous household products, and consider appropriate measures if wandering is a concern, an approach that aligns with our fall prevention program.
During an episode, avoid surrounding or physically confronting the person. If they are frightened, give them enough space while maintaining a safe distance. If necessary, remove objects that could be used to cause harm.
If they become aggressive or feel threatened, or attempt to leave the house or endanger their own safety, take appropriate measures.
A calm, familiar environment is easier to navigate than a busy or constantly changing one.
Some hallucinations or delusions may be manageable with reassurance and environmental adjustments. Others can create significant safety concerns.
Seek prompt medical advice if:
Caregivers trained to handle these situations can help your loved one calm down. Consult with your loved one’s healthcare provider if needed. For families managing frequent nighttime episodes, our 24-hour home care keeps an experienced caregiver present through the night.
During an episode, constantly correcting them doesn’t solve the problem, but can make the situation worse. Look at the situation from their perspective, and try to understand their emotions. It is challenging, even depressing at times, but they need you.
Don’t dismiss every unusual behavior as “part of dementia.” Seek medical help if these episodes happen without any clear cause or trigger.
Dementia delusions and hallucinations are challenging to handle on your own. Over time, they can become more frequent. While family caregivers can be patient and use in-home dementia safety strategies, professional help remains unmatched.
DementiaWise-certified care professionals understand the disease and the situations it can cause. They are better equipped to calm down your loved one.
At ComForCare, 95% of our professionals are DementiaWise certified, which means we can help you. Our team is led by Akanksha Bist, PT, DPT, who brings over 15 years of clinical experience to every care plan. Our plans include daily care, identifying triggers and symptoms, and providing the support you need to make life easier for people with dementia.
Explore our dementia care plans, or call (512) 957-0006 to choose the right one!
“ComForCare goes beyond basic sitter services. Dr. A brings so much knowledge and compassion to the care plan, and it really shows. Thankyou for all the help ComForcare!”
— Ankit P., via Google Reviews
Que: What should I do when my loved one sees something that isn’t there?
Ans: Remain calm and avoid arguing. Acknowledge that the experience seems real to them, offer reassurance, check whether something in the environment could be confusing, and gently redirect their attention.
Que: Should I correct someone experiencing a dementia hallucination?
Ans: Arguing usually doesn’t help. Focus instead on the person’s emotional response and safety. If they seem frightened, reassure them and move them to a calm environment.
Que: How can families manage paranoia in dementia patients?
Ans: Avoid arguing or making accusations of your own. Listen to the concern, provide reassurance, and look for practical solutions. Consistent routines and designated places for commonly misplaced belongings can also reduce confusion.
Que: When should dementia hallucinations be reported to a doctor?
Ans: New, sudden, severe, or rapidly worsening hallucinations should be discussed with a healthcare professional. Medical conditions, medication changes, dehydration, and other issues can sometimes contribute to sudden behavioral changes.
Que: Can in-home care help with dementia behavioral symptoms?
Ans: Yes. Non-medical in-home care can provide supervision, companionship, personal care, and assistance with daily routines. Professional caregivers can also help families maintain consistency and recognize changes that may need discussion with the person’s healthcare team.
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