As your loved one’s Alzheimer’s disease gets worse, he may start to have delusions, paranoia and hallucinations. During a hallucination, he may hear or see something that is not there. He also may suffer from delusions, or false beliefs that he thinks are real.
Paranoia is a delusion where your loved one may think that others are trying to hurt him or are out to get him. He also may be convinced that there are strangers in the house watching him or going through his things.
If your loved one is experiencing some of these symptoms, there are ways to cope that will make both of you feel better:
Hallucinations
- Tell his doctor about your loved one’s hallucinations or delusions.
- Talk with the doctor about any illnesses your loved one has and what medications he is one. Sometimes an illness or medication can cause delusions and hallucinations.
- Never argue with the person about what he is hearing or seeing. Try to give comfort to your loved one if he is fearful.
- Distract your loved one if he starts to go on about a hallucination or delusion. Sometimes if you put him in another room or take him for a walk, he will forget about it and will calm down.
- Turn off the television any time there are violent or upsetting programs on. A person who has Alzheimer’s may think that these things are actually happening in the house.
- Be sure that your loved one is safe and cannot get to anything that can be used to hurt himself or anyone else. Be sure, for example, that all firearms are locked up and impossible for him to get to.
Paranoia
Paranoia in Alzheimer’s patients is usually linked to loss of memory. It often gets worse as memory loss gets worse. Your loved one might become paranoid if he forgets:
- Where he put an item. The person may start to believe that someone is taking his things.
- That you are a caregiver for him. He may not trust you or think you are a stranger.
- People that he was introduced to. He might think that person is a stranger and will harm him.
- Directions you gave him. Your loved one might think you are trying to trick him.
Fear, paranoia and hallucinations become more common as the disease progresses.
Remember that paranoia is often a way for your loved one to express loss. He may start to blame and accuse other people of things because no other explanation is apparent to him. To cope with paranoia:
- Do not react in a negative way if you are blamed for something.
- Do not argue with him.
- Tell your loved one that he is safe.
- Hug or touch him gently when he is upset.
- Keep things handy to distract the person when he is upset, such as a keepsake or photograph.
To learn more about how to cope with these problems of Alzheimer’s disease, please look at our Family Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease Video Series. This DVD series was created so you will understand what to expect in the various stages of Alzheimer’s disease in your loved one.