My mom has Dementia and she is in the late stages of the disease. She suffers with hallucinations all night. It is heartbreaking. Doctor added Aricept in addition to Naminda. She says it is the Dementia , I can handle anything, but it is so distressing for me to hear her say that she sees people who have passed, or strange children. Sometimes she gets agitated in the night because they won't answer her. I and my husband are the sole caregivers, he works, Im with her all the time. I do not know how to deal with this. I reorient her the best I can. I am tired from not getting enough sleep at night. No other relatives in the state. Anyone else have this problem? Thank You
Rather than trying to re-orient her, try reassuring her and making her comfortable. If she tells you that her (deceased) sister is here, you might say, "Oh, I've always loved Aunt Margie! She is such a kind person. What were your favorite things to do as children?" You don't need to convince her that Margie is dead, just see if you can get her talking about something else.
My husband saw deceased relatives early in his disease, but not at the end. Each kind of dementia is different and each person is unique.
Getting up during the night to help Mom cope takes a tole on you! Talk to Mom's doctor (or hospice nurse) about ways to help her sleep through the night.