South Mountain Memory Care, serving Allentown and the Lehigh Valley, PA, area, understands the needs of caregivers, both at home and in our memory care community. As part of our effort to educate the public on dementia issues, we provide the following information regarding some manifestations of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
It is common for people with Alzheimer’s disease to experience hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. These symptoms can lead to fear and frustration for both the person with Alzheimer’s and their caregiver.
Hallucinations and delusions
During a hallucination, a person sees, hears, smells, tastes, or feels something that isn’t there. For example, the person may see their mother in the room although she is no longer alive. They also may have delusions, which are false beliefs that the person thinks are real. For example, the person may think their partner is in love with someone else.
Here are some tips for coping with hallucinations and delusions.
- Tell the person’s doctor about the delusions or hallucinations. Discuss any illnesses the person has and medicines they are taking. Sometimes an illness or medicine may cause hallucinations or delusions.
- Do not argue about what the person with Alzheimer’s sees or hears. Comfort the person if they are afraid.
- Distract the person. Sometimes moving to another room or going outside for a walk helps.
- Turn off the TV when violent or upsetting programs are on. Someone with Alzheimer’s may think these events are happening in the room.
- Make sure the person is safe and can’t reach anything that they could use to hurt themselves or anyone else.
Paranoia
People with Alzheimer’s may also experience a specific type of delusion called paranoia. People with paranoia may believe—without a good reason—that others are mean, lying, unfair, or out to get them. Your loved one may become suspicious, fearful, or jealous of some people. In a person with Alzheimer’s, paranoia is often linked to memory loss.
For example:
| If the person forgets… | The person may believe… |
| Where they put something | Someone is taking their things |
| You are the caregiver | You are a stranger, and they may not trust you |
| That they know a family member or friend | The family or friend might cause them harm |
| Directions you just provided | You are trying to trick them |
Paranoia may be the person’s way of expressing loss. The person may blame or accuse others because no other explanation seems to make sense.
Here are some tips to help cope with paranoia
- Try not to react if the person blames you for something.
- Don’t argue about what’s true.
- Let the person know that they are safe.
- Use gentle touching or hugging to show the person you care.
- Explain to others that the person is acting this way because they have Alzheimer’s.
- Search for things to distract the person; then talk about what you found. For example, talk about a photograph or a keepsake.
- Have extra sets of keys or eyeglasses in case these are lost.
Be aware of elder abuse
Someone with Alzheimer’s who is suspicious or distrustful may not have paranoia. They may be a victim of elder abuse. Older adults are often targets for physical, emotional, and financial abuse. Learn the signs of elder abuse and when to get help.
Whatever the cause or level of your or your loved one’s memory issues, South Mountain Memory Care, with our unique culture, “small house” model, and abundance of certified caregivers, offers you the peace of mind of knowing your loved one will be cared for as if they were our family—which they are!
South Mountain Memory Care is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care to support our residents in achieving a well-balanced lifestyle. We strive to allow our residents to remain independent while emphasizing safety. Our focus is to enrich their life—mind, body, and spirit—by bringing new initiatives into their day-to-day regimen while maintaining the activities they find comfort in. South Mountain Memory Care offers the peace of mind you deserve. When it comes to those you care so deeply about, we understand because we care, too.