Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
Hallucinations
Hallucinations are false perceptions of objects or events that isn’t really there.
Care tips
- Agree with the person with dementia
Allow the person to express what is distressing them and try to provide reassurance. Try not to dismiss what was informed although you know it is not reality.
- Redirect their attention
Change the focus to another activity to distract them.
- Ascertain if a response is needed
Sometimes all you need to do is to let you know what they feel about what they are experiencing. You may not need to respond and or take an action.
- Provide assurance
Reassure that you understand what their concerns are and will help them to address the fear.
- Modify the environment
- It is usually less visible in dark places, try to improve the lighting and make the room brighter. Frightening hallucinations often subsides in brighter environments where other people are present.
- Remove anything that can cause illusions (mirrors, mechanical noise, wall stains, etc)
- Remove TV or radio that might confuse them as it might trigger the person with dementia to think that there are strangers in the house
- Safety
Occasionally, the person with dementia may react to the hallucination that they perceive and react in an unpredictable manner.
- Remove dangerous objects such as knives and cutleries
- Ensure the environment is safe at all times ie. someone to be with the person with hallucinations
To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors
– Tia Walker –
– Tia Walker –
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