Key Takeaways
- Hallucinations can affect any of the five senses and may feel completely real to the person experiencing them.
- Common causes include dementia, medication changes, infections, dehydration, poor sleep, and sensory changes.
- Stay calm, speak gently, and offer reassurance when a loved one experiences a hallucination.
- Avoid arguing about what’s real. Acknowledge your loved one’s feelings without agreeing with the hallucination.
- Adjust lighting, reduce background noise, or suggest a familiar activity to help ease confusion.
- Contact a doctor about new or worsening hallucinations. Sudden confusion needs urgent medical attention. Consider professional senior care if your loved one needs more daily supervision.
How to Support Someone Seeing or Hearing Things That Aren’t There
Your loved one tells you there’s someone standing in the corner, but you can’t see anyone. Or maybe they hear a voice coming from an empty room. It can be hard to know what to say, especially if they seem scared or upset. You want to help, but you don’t want to make things worse. So how do you get your loved one the support they need?
If your loved one is hallucinating, stay calm, listen to what they’re saying, and offer gentle reassurance. Don’t try to argue with them or prove that what they’re seeing isn’t real. Instead, focus on helping them feel safe and comfortable. Even small things, like sitting together or moving to a quieter room, may help.
What Causes Hallucinations in Older Adults?
A hallucination happens when someone sees, hears, smells, tastes, or feels something that isn’t actually there. To your loved one, though, the experience may seem completely real. Hallucinations are sometimes linked to dementia, but they can happen for several other reasons.
Some possible causes include:
- Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia
- Certain medications or changes to prescriptions
- Infections, dehydration, or other health problems
- Poor sleep or going too long without enough rest
- Changes in eyesight or hearing
Hallucinations aren’t a normal part of getting older. If your loved one starts having them, speak with their doctor to find out what may be causing them. Sudden hallucinations with new confusion need urgent medical attention.
How to Help Someone Who Is Hallucinating
If your loved one sees or hears something you don’t, their experience may feel very real to them. Telling them they’re wrong or trying to prove it isn’t happening may leave them feeling more upset. A gentler approach can help you respond without adding to their fear.
Stay Calm and Speak Gently
Start by walking toward your loved one slowly so you don’t startle them. Say their name and use a soft, familiar voice to let them know you’re nearby. If they seem scared, try saying something like, “I’m right here. You’re safe with me.” You can also offer to sit beside them or hold their hand if they’re comfortable with that.
Acknowledge Their Feelings Without Arguing
If your loved one says there’s a stranger in the room, don’t rush to tell them they’re wrong. Instead, focus on how they’re feeling and say something like, “That sounds scary. I’m here with you.” You don’t have to pretend you see the same thing to show that you care. If they ask whether you can see it too, it’s okay to say, “I don’t see anyone, but I know you’re frightened.”
Make Their Surroundings More Comfortable
Look around the room to see whether anything might be adding to your loved one’s confusion. A shadow on the wall, a reflection in a mirror, or a dark corner may look strange to someone who’s already feeling unsure. Try turning on a light, closing the curtains, or covering a mirror if it seems to bother them.
Gently Redirect Their Attention
Sometimes, doing something familiar can help take your loved one’s mind off what they’re seeing or hearing. You might play a favorite song, look through old photos together, or ask if they’d like to sit in another room. Keep things simple and let them choose whether they want to join in.
When to Look Into Professional Senior Care
Having a hallucination doesn’t always mean your loved one needs memory care. Many older adults can continue living at home with the right medical treatment and daily support. Still, if hallucinations happen more often or your loved one needs more help throughout the day, it may be time to consider other care options.
Hallucinations Are Becoming More Frequent
Pay attention if your loved one starts having hallucinations more often or seems more upset by them. Try writing down when they happen, what your loved one sees or hears, and how they react. Share these notes with their doctor to help figure out what may be causing the change.
Your Loved One Needs More Daily Supervision
Sometimes, a hallucination may cause your loved one to act in ways that put them at risk. They might try to leave the house because they believe someone is chasing them or move toward something that isn’t there. If they can no longer stay home safely without someone nearby, it may be time to look into professional care.
Your Family Needs More Consistent Support
As your loved one’s needs change, you may find yourself spending more time helping with daily tasks. You might need to check on them throughout the day, help them follow their usual routines, or respond when they become confused. If your family can’t always provide the right level of care, it’s likely time to look into memory care to give your loved one the support they deserve.
Supporting Your Loved One at Somerby Edgewater
Seeing a loved one experience hallucinations can be upsetting, but you don’t need to have all the answers right away. Speak gently, listen to their concerns, and look for small ways to help them feel comfortable. It’s also important to talk with their doctor about what may be causing these experiences, especially if they’re new or getting worse.
At Somerby Edgewater, our Lilac Trace memory care approach offers support for older adults living with dementia and related conditions. We take the time to get to know residents, their routines, and the things that help them feel at home. Our team is here to provide daily support while respecting what makes each person unique. Schedule a tour today to learn more about our Lilac Trace memory care approach.
