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I have had to deal with my mother's hallucinations for a year and a half. We now believe it is Lewy Body Dementia. Her delusions seemed to come on fairly suddenly too. She is not on meds at this point but I am hoping we can try something once we meet with a neurologist that deals with dementia patients in two weeks. (Finding the right doctor has been a journey, and we live in a big city.) We have been to several doctors trying to figure this out. My mother is able to take care of herself, does all the Activities of Daily Living, even drives, but has these delusions that never go away. Sometimes they are easier to live with than other times, She has had mild UTI's along the way and we usually get her checked when she gets even more agitated than usual. So definitely follow up on that. The number one rule: join her in her reality. It truly is her reality. Trying to talk her out of it will just frustrate you both. Believe me, I did that too and learned the hard way. They just become more agitated. Reassure her in whatever way you can that works. It may be trial and error and require creativity on your part! Use a calm reassuring voice. You may have to follow her lead in what seems to calm her fears or concerns. Distraction works well too. For meds, apparently there are some but they work for some people and not for others. And for Lewy Body dementia - certain anti-psychotics can be dangerous. I think the ones mentioned by others here are safe but the doctor should know best and what is good for the elderly. My sympathies to you. It is tough to live in "crazy world" all the time. It can try your patience for sure. It sounds like you are taking good care of your mom!
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Getkicksonrte66 Sep 2019
Totally agree on safety of certain meds. I was besides myself when I read up on Zyprexa and dementia.
I believe there’s even a black box warning, however I’ve now had 2 psychiatrists and a neuropsyche doctor keep my LO on that medication with full knowledge of warning. Ya have to wonder sometimes what’s the lesser of two evils.
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You need to go into her world. Talk to her as if this Is Real because it is, to her. Someone in the backyard would be alarming. Reassure her you are going to take this serious in believing her. Maybe tell her you talked to them and its people just keep looking for their cat. It will take time and practice with different approaches.

Next Watch Teepa Snow videos on YouTube. She is an expert speaker working with dementia patients. Search for her videos on working with hallucinating patients. Watch all her videos they are the best help!

Check with her pharmacist to make sure this is not from new meds or med related.

Distract by seeing if she can help in the house with folding towels etc, dusting etc

Best of luck, now go watch Teepa!😊
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
That was the very thing I did (look her up on YouTube) even before I finished reading your response! Thank you SO MUCH for giving me that tip/resource!!!
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Well it kinda like your young son thinks there is a monster under the bed. You know there isn't, but you check just to make him more comfortable. She lives alone? She is probably really lonely and her mind is working overtime. Can you find things that keep her busy (making quilts, etc) or more people to visit her? With my mother-in-law we advised her to talk to the person and see what they want. This is a normal stage and it does pass.
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
I live with her (since 2005 BEFORE she was showing much, if any signs). She began quite slowly over these past several years then accelerated at an alarming rate around the beginning of this year.
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A man in our Alz support group would agree with his wife when she saw things and give them a benign explanation. She said No, THAT'S NOT OUR NEIGHBORS BY THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR. HE'D said Let me take another look, oh yeah, I remember, they're having company today, that's their company.
A woman's husband said he couldn't use the bathroom because of the people in it. His wife went in and politely but loudly told "them" they would have to leave now, Paul needed the bathroom, then accompanied them to the door with "have a nice day"and other cordialities, then shut the door behind them and said OK honey, it's all yours.
Have not had that problem with my spouse but if it arises I will try to be as ingenious as they were, take their advice and never argue and try to come up with great explanations for what he thinks he's seeing.
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
Thanks!
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You might want to remove mirrors in the house. I've heard of people who pass a mirror and see 'a person', but their mind does not recognize the person as herself. For the outside 'intruders', you might just go along with it - yes, the telephone people said they were going to be in/out of the yard for the next few weeks to check equipment. You might also take her to the dr and ask for urine test. Very often an infection can cause exactly what you've described.

When you say she alerted you - does that mean you are in the home w/her or she is calling you at a different location. If you're there, try to change conversation or agree and give reason they 'intruders' are there. If you're not there, she may no longer be able to live alone.
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
Thank you! And, YES, I've been living here WITH HER since 2006, but I've only HAD to start really taking care of her for the last two years and especially more so for the last year, but her hallucinations have only started within the last month or so. And, YES, she's going for a test to make sure she doesn't have an UTI, or ANY OTHER infection on Monday. Once again, thank YOU, and EVERYONE ELSE, for caring enough to have taken time out of their/your day to advise and encourage me!!! God bless you ALL!!!
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My dad has spent the last 5 days in the hospital because he thought people were outside and they were going to kill him. After some tests, and a number of IV's he is back to normal and it is determined that he was dehydrated. The hospital won't release him to go home and we have arrangements made to move him to an assisted living. Everyone is hugely supportive that is helping with this 'project' and I have been told he will do just fine once he is there.
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
Thank you!
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I love some of the creative examples people have offered of ways to converse with your mother within her own reality!

I hope you are finding some useful strategies here. We are all wishing you the best!
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
YES, I have ABSOLUTELY taken everyone's advice and things have already gotten better with the changes I'VE made to my responses to her and her hallucinations! I can't tell you, AND EVERYONE ELSE, just HOW MUCH I've appreciated ALL of your help and advice!!! God bless you ALL!!!
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Medication check is in order. Many meds can manifest into hallucinogenic thoughts and ideology.
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
Thank you!
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She may have a uterine infection. Can cause hallucinations. Take her to the doctor.
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
YES, thank you! I've already contacted her PCP based upon prior advice, including yours! I appreciate your having taken your time to advise me!
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First of all if possible, take a deep breath. The hallucinations your mother is experiencing are real to her so your telling her they're not is not going to solve the problem. Validating her fears and then distracting her is most likely the best approach. However, since these hallucinations are agitating her and causing her mental discomfort, I would suggest a visit with a geriatric psychiatrist who can evaluate her and prescribe medications to address the hallucinations and help both of you.
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
Thank you! I've got another appointment with her neurologist on the 9th of October and I will make sure to speak with him BEFORE she comes into the room! And, YES.... based on your and all of the earlier responses, I've just been going with the flow in regard to NOT disagreeing with her when she comes to me with her hallucination/s. I appreciate everyone's advice, including yours, Peanuts56!!!
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My dad was just discharged from the hospital because of dehydration that caused him to think that people were outside to get him/kill him. He was very paranoid 5 days ago. He was not released to go home because they said his dehydration will probably happen again. After some IV"s and good food in the hospital he is actually cheery! He is at his first day of assisted living today. He thinks he is only going for a few days but he is mistaken. I have also been told by 2 different social workers not to let him go back home. He needs to setting into the facility. We have one of his caregiver's there for the next week for several hours a day to help him get acquainted.
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
Thank you! I'm with mom 24/7/365 (since 2006) so, thankfully, I won't need to place her anywhere for the foreseeable future.
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lotsokittycats: You're very welcome.
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Babs, I'm so glad you've got him settled!
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Babs75 Sep 2019
And I'm staying away for now! He needs to work with the caregivers to get settled. I see from their online notes that he attended one of the exercise classes today and that he took their bus to church (it goes to HIS church!) My husband and I went to his house and trimmed the shrubs by the front door to keep it so you can see if someone is hiding out and I took financial stuff out of the house that could be a problem if someone was to break in and I took all of the pill bottles out of there too. He doesn't live in the best neighborhood. I will probably wait and go see him at the end of the week. He needs to settle in.
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I was thinking. You could get a motion detector light for the backyard. And if it never goes off, everything ok Riiiiight? :)
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lotsokittycats Sep 2019
Thank you!
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