VOICES

letty61

Hello , I'm not really sure how to deal with the voices my mom hears all the time , I have been entertaining it by telling her they cant hurt her and that I wont let anyone near her ? Am I doing the right thing ? I just don't want to create confusion by telling her they all-in her head should I dismissed it ? She gets mad at me during sun downing and tells me I'm not helping her , I just don't know what to do or what to say .. I would appreciate if anyone is dealing with this situation and offer me some advice .. feeling so helpless

scoutmom405

My FIL has Vascular Dementia & Alzheimers, he hasn't told me he hears voices. However he talks to people that aren't there. Sometimes full conversations. He also has hallucinations seeing his deceased son, brother or wife. I've learned to go along where I can. Like when he came to me after I overheard him talking to his brother, & he said come meet my brother. I followed him & he said this is my brother. I said nice to meet you. & that was that.

When he said come see your mum (my MIL) I followed him but he must have stopped seeing her & he started getting concerned. Where did she go? Then got hung up thinking she jumped out the window.

His neurologist upped his seroquel dose & ever since, he's had far less hallucinations & conversations with his deceased loved ones.

That's what is currently helping.

Jeanne C.

If they alarm her, I would talk to her doctor about it. An atypical antipsychotic medication may help (like seroquel or risperidone). It may help with sundowning, too. The combination of risperidone and escitalopram helps my husband. I'm sorry you're both dealing with this.

letty61

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/206698#Comment_206698

Thank you she was on risperidone for two weeks and I noticed no change so the dr change her meds to Seroquel she's been on them for one week and no improvements so far .. Im going to wait another week if no improvement I'm hoping the dosage can be increase .

letty61

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/206696#Comment_206696

My mom swears she has telepathy because she keeps insisting she hears them and she tells them to leave her alone .. My heart breaks into pieces the torture she must be going through and I feel helpless .

She's currently on Seroquel for a week now .. I'm wondering how long before the meds start to work and I can get my mom back .. :(

Lynn24

I can relate. My mother has hallucinations and she talks to people who aren’t there. It is a symptom if the disease. We bought her a doll from the alzheimers store online, of which she loves because she believes the doll is an actual person. The doll keeps her calm because it serves as someone she can take care of.

letty61

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/206748#Comment_206748

Thank you , for that great idea ..

Anonymousjpl123

I agree with the doll and, frankly, anything that might distract her. I brought my mother who dressed in what I do (schmatta/linen dress sheek) 5 old copies of vogue and they LOVE these. Look through them, cut out pictures.

Also my mom did have some hallucinations at one point it was quite upsetting but on the lowest possible dose of seroquel at night has really helped. She is not a zombie and not progressing faster. In fact, she still had moments but overall she seems much, much better on the seroquel. Maybe give that some time and check in with a Geri-psychiatrist. The psychiatrist was the one who helped my mom the most in the here and now.

letty61

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/206916#Comment_206916

Thank you , she's been on Seroquel for 15 days symptoms have not eased a bit , do I need to give it more time ? Do I ask the dr to up her dose. I feel like I'm running on fumes , I'm glad your mom is doing great with the meds .. I be counting the days until I see some improvement ..

Lynn24

@letty61, My mother is taking 75 mg Seroquel twice a day to help with agitation. It has helped with agitation but it hasn’t stopped hallucinations. Hallucinations are a symptom of the disease. We agree with her and respond to her with one word answers, such as yes, no, or okay. Sometimes we assure her and say, do not worry, we will not let anyone hurt you. Just keep your responses very calm and all is well.

letty61

Thank you for sharing , I will continue to reassure her that she is safe … sometimes I feel when I talk to her is like she don't even hear me she is so focus on telling me what the (people ) are telling her .

I never thought in a million years she will be going through this .. is a torture for her … :(

Anonymousjpl123

@letty61 it absolutely is, but you being there, comforting her, goes such a long way. I am positive of this. It is something I am certain my mom is aware of, on some level. Awful disease but you sticking with her means the world.

letty61

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/207059#Comment_207059

Thank You