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H A L L U C I N AT I O N S
U nderstanding the difference between hallucinations Is the hallucination upsetting to the person? Is it leading
and delusions is important. A delusion is defined as a him or her to do something dangerous? Does the sight of
false idea, sometimes originating in a misinterpretation of an unfamiliar face cause him or her to become
a situation. When individuals with dementia have a frightened? If so, react calmly and quickly with
delusion, they think that family members are stealing reassuring words and comforting touching.
from them or that the police are following them.
Respond with caution.
A hallucination, in contrast, is a false perception of Be cautious and conservative in responding to the
objects or events, and is sensory in nature. When person’s hallucinations. If the hallucination doesn’t cause
individuals with Alzheimer’s have a hallucination, they problems for you, the person, or other family members,
see, hear, smell, taste, or even feel something that isn’t you may want to ignore it.
really there.
■ Don’t argue with the person about what he or she sees
Hallucinations are caused by changes within the brain or hears. Unless the behavior becomes dangerous, you
that result from the disease. Hallucinations are visual and might not need to intervene.
auditory. Individuals may see the face of a former friend
in a curtain or may see insects crawling on their hand. In Offer reassurance.
other cases, they may hear people talking to them and Reassure the person with kind words and a gentle touch.
may even talk to the imagined person. For example, you might want to say: “Don’t worry. I’m
Hallucinations can be frightening. On some occasions, here. I’ll protect you. I’ll take care of you,” or “I know
individuals may see threatening images or just ordinary you’re worried. Would you like me to hold your hand
pictures of people, situations, or objects from the past. and walk with you for awhile?”
Some ideas for handling hallucinations are: ■ Gentle patting may turn the person’s attention toward
you and reduce the hallucination.
■ Look for reasons or feelings behind the hallucination
ACTION STEPS
and try to find out what the hallucination means to the
individual. For example, you might want to respond with
Obtain medical guidance. words such as these: “It sounds as if you’re worried” or “I
Ask a physician to evaluate the person to determine if know this is frightening for you.”
medication is needed or might be causing the
hallucinations. In some cases, hallucinations are caused Use distraction.
by schizophrenia, a disease different from Alzheimer’s. Suggest that the person come with you on a walk or sit
Have the person’s eyesight or hearing checked or make next to you in another room. Frightening hallucinations
sure that the person wears his or her glasses or hearing often subside in well-lit areas where other people are
aid on a regular basis. present.
■ The physician can look for physical disorder such as ■ You might also try to turn the person’s attention to
kidney or bladder infections, dehydration, intense pain, or other activities, such as listening to music, conversation,
alcohol or drug abuse. These are conditions that might drawing, looking at photos or pictures, or counting coins.
cause hallucinations. If the physician prescribes a
medication, watch for such symptoms as oversedation, Respond honestly.
increased confusion, tremors, or tics. Keep in m ind that the person may sometimes ask you
about the hallucination. For example, “Do you see him?”
Assess and evaluate. or “Can you hear the children laughing?” You may want
Assess the situation and determine whether or not the to answer with words such as there: “I know that you see
hallucination is a problem for you or for the individual. something, but I don’t see it.” In this way, you’re not
denying what the person sees or hears or getting involved
in an argument.
snow to the person and dark squares on tiled floor may NOTES
look like dangerous holes.
RESOURCES
Through its nationwide network of chapters, the
Association offers a broad range of programs and services
for people with the disease, their families, and caregivers.
These services include support groups, telephone
helplines, educational seminars, advocacy programs, and a
variety of print and on-line resources on the disease,
caregiving approaches, and current research.
Research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of
Alzheimer's disease will create new options for treatment
and care. The Alzheimer’s Association, the largest private
funder of Alzheimer research, is dedicated to supporting
scientists who are making advances toward conquering
this disease.