Talking to people who aren't there

thagster

My mom lives with us and she does quite well. However, lately she has what I will call "off days." She talks loudly to herself (although she swears she is talking to someone), she's constantly up at night -- still talking to herself, and doesn't really sleep. I am up most of the night just trying to keep her in bed and not waking up everyone in our family. I try to talk with her but it's like I'm not even there. She doesn't listen at all when she's like this. Do others experience these off days and does anyone have tips on how to deal with them? Am I doing something wrong?

M1

You're not doing anything wrong; she's probably having hallucinations/delusions.  Medication can help, I would call her doctor today and report both the delusions and the sleep disruption.  You need to be able to sleep in order to take care of her.  Good luck---

tdnp

I am sorry.  This disease sucks.  

My mother is not talking to people but hears music.  She has gotten us up a couple times asking us to turn it down.  (we are asleep)

She is also up 20+ times a night.  We are going to ask if we can give her melatonin to see if that helps.  Nothing we have tired yet is working. 

From what I have read both are part of the progression of the disease. 

With mom, she is not putting herself in danger and is not waking us all the time, so I have just come to the realization that I have to let her be. 

We have placed alarms on the doors so if she starts to wander outside, we will have to activate the alarm to keep her safe from going to far. 

 Good luck.  Keep your head up.  

John2.0.1

My mom was constantly shooing away small children who she hallucinated were trying to sneak her cookies. Or cats who were trying to get on her lap.

It's morphed into people who are trying to abduct her screaming and kicking.

Just hope her hallucinations remain pleasant hallucination.

Meds can help but not always and their effects change over time with the severity of the disease. Meds that help early on can hurt later on.

Arrowhead

My wife is always talking to someone I can't see. As long as it's not disruptive to you or  unpleasant for her, then I wouldn't worry about that part. The not sleeping part needs to be addressed for her health and for your own. I think you should solve that part before being worried about the other.

Tauruslady511

All these things sound familiar.  When mom was with me, we got her on Xanax and melatonin, at night. They helped tremendously.  She’s now in a nursing facility and is on some anti-psychotic meds, which are used to treat the hallucinations and help to keep her calm. They are working wonders for her.  Definitely speak with the doctor (s) about these behaviors, which will likely change, with time & progression of the disease.

Rachel_Louise

My Mom was officially diagnosed with mild to moderate AD today. (She was diagnosed with MCI in 2019.)

For months she’s been talking about people coming in the house and stealing her clothes/jewelry. Now there are kids coming in the house and she has to do all their laundry without getting paid. 

The doctor prescribed Seroquel. I’m hoping she gets some relief with this new med.