Can delusions/hallucinations/paranoia stop

Nanpr

Hi all, I have read many posts and find comfort in them. I haven’t posted myself in quite some time. My mom has not been formally diagnosed, but we have noticed some cognitive decline. A little short term memory issues. Some trouble in making large meals with all the steps involved. But for the most part she is still able to take care of her daily needs. She is 73 years old and I should mention she had a car accident with a brain injury 16 years ago. The behaviours that were causing us the most concern were the paranoia/delusions/hallucinations. We have moved her 2 times in the last year. In the first condo there was a lot of noise coming from upstairs as there were two young children living there (a girl 4yrs and a boy 2yrs). However, my mom had it in her head that there was a 10 year old boy living there that they were hiding. She would become very agitated. She would retaliate by playing loud music and would confront the people. A few times the police were called as they felt threatened. She insisted on moving so my brother and I helped her find a new place. We knew that this wasn’t the right thing to do, but she is still in control of her own affairs as she functions fairly well with daily life. In the current condo she is convinced that people are smoking around her. She will bother the security people to come up to her condo to smell the smoke. She will knock on neighbours doors accusing them of smoking. There is no smoke. The police have been called on this instance too as she will again retaliate with loud music or put her tv on very loud. Fast forward a few months and I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I have had surgery and I’m currently going through treatment. My mom has been living with me during this time. The above behaviours have since gone away. I was once told that being isolated can be the sole trigger for these types of behaviours. Does anyone have any insight into this? Is it common for these delusions/paranoia/hallucinations to subside? Is it that my mom is surrounded by my family and distracted. Maybe has a purpose as she’s helping me while I go through treatment? Is it just a matter of time before the behaviours occur again? I feel like I’m waiting for the next thing to happen. We live in Canada and we are trying to get her to see a geriatrician, but she doesn’t think there is anything wrong. I should add that her family dr (you would call a primary care physician, I believe) has tried to get her on an anti-psychotic several times, but she refuses. Anyway, I feel like we’re at a standstill right now. Just waiting for what’s going to happen next. Any insight would be much appreciated.

Zaellan

My mom insists that a little girl comes and visits her in her room each night.  I'm hoping that the hallucinations will stop.

M1

Nanpr I'm sorry you are going through such difficult health problems yourself, that's a lot to cope with.

From what you're describing, it does sound like your mother is better of living with you; it may not be wise to let her return to living alone.  Look up "anosognosia"--many people with dementia have it, and it is different than denial, it is true inability to recognize that she has deficits.  That's where the "nothing is wrong" talk comes from.  And there's no arguing with it.

Can you and your siblings make some longer-term plans for her?  Does one of you have her power of attorney (medical and financial)?  If not, that should be addressed sooner rather than later while she is still able to sign legal documents.  

Good luck.

Nanpr

I find it very weird that when she is living with me the hallucinations seem to stop. Although she may bring up the child from her old condo and the smoke from her current condo, but she doesn’t fixate on it because she isn’t in the environment. She is distracted with what’s going on in our household.

Nanpr

M1 wrote:

Nanpr I'm sorry you are going through such difficult health problems yourself, that's a lot to cope with.

From what you're describing, it does sound like your mother is better of living with you; it may not be wise to let her return to living alone.  Look up "anosognosia"--many people with dementia have it, and it is different than denial, it is true inability to recognize that she has deficits.  That's where the "nothing is wrong" talk comes from.  And there's no arguing with it.

Can you and your siblings make some longer-term plans for her?  Does one of you have her power of attorney (medical and financial)?  If not, that should be addressed sooner rather than later while she is still able to sign legal documents.  

Good luck.

Nanpr

Thank you so much for your reply! I agree that she shouldn’t return to living alone, but we do not have POA(myself and brother) as of yet, because she is not deemed incapacitated. Sje does have the legal forms signed though.She is very much still able to care for herself. It’s such a difficult situation. I am familiar with anosognosia and she is definitely exhibiting this! However, a couple of times she’s actually stated that we think she has Alzheimer’s like her cousin had and she says “I do not have Alzheimer’s, You (meaning myself and my brother) obviously don’t know me.” I feel like she may be seeing or feeling  the changes? It’s hard to really know.

My brother and I have discussed longterm living arrangements and bring them up at times when she is receptive. She refuses to live with family! She said she has never seen this for herself. I may add that she has been a widow since she was 37 as our father passed quite young. So she has always been very independent. This is working against us at this time. We have mentioned a retirement home and she said she will die if she goes to one. She is so adamant about living on her own. She wants to sell her current condo and said she doesn’t care how long it takes to find another. We know it isn’t the right decision, but our hands are tied at this point. Unless she’s a danger to herself or others. It’s such a rollercoaster. 

Thanks again!