Dealing with hallucinations in dementia care

A hallucination is a very realistic feeling perception that a person has in the absence of any actual physical stimuli.By Rachael WonderlinAlzheimer's Reading RoomFor example, a person who is hallucinating may see a human or animal that is not there.That same person may even hear or smell something that does not exist. Hallucinations are not the same thing as delusions.What ’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and DementiaHallucinations are not actually that common for people with dementia. A person can live out his or her years with dementia andnever experience a hallucination. When hallucinations do happen, however,they can be frightening or worrisome for both the caregiver and the person experiencing them.For people with some types of dementia, however,hallucinations are common.One of the main symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia (LDB) are hallucinations. These hallucinations are oftenrecurrent, complex, visual, and typically well formed and detailed.This is why it is important to know what type of dementia your loved one has —knowing this can help you to predict what type of symptoms you may see. The importance of a thorough and complete diagnosis is an imperative of effective caregiving.“Many people with LBD go years without an accurate diagnosis, losing the opportunity for important early intervention and risking exposure to potentially dangerous medication sensitivities. - James Galvin, MD, Professor of Clinical Biomedical Science and Associate Dean for Clinica...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's care alzheimer's Hallucinations delusion dementia dementia care dementia help for caregivers family caregiving help alzheimer's help with dementia care Lewy Body Dementia memory care Source Type: blogs