New Here. Sundowner/Hallucinations

AmyRose

My mom cares for my dad at home. I am only 2 miles away and my son and I are their support system. My dad (89yr) has been dealing with sundowners for several months but it is getting worse. Some nights he sleeps ok and some nights he is up and down throughout the night. We learned my mom (84yr) has been sleeping in a recliner to monitor his getting up and down throughout the night. So, this week my son (19yr) and I will begin splitting the time with her so she can get some sleep in her bed. We will be spending every other night at their house on the sofa to help monitor. Last night, my son saw him stop at the front door, where only the storm door was closed, and stare for a long time. He then walked down the hall and returned more upset and agitated than before. I am now wondering if he is having hallucinations and thought maybe someone was outside. I even wondered if he was seeing his own reflection but didn't recognize himself. Has anyone else dealt with someone having hallucinations like this? Is there a way we can get him to tell us if he is seeing something?

JulietteBee

Hi there! Welcome! I am new here too.

I am sorry for what you have been experiencing. I had to move my mom into an IL facility 1 mile from my home. She previously lived alone, in her house 6 miles away. When you are ill and disabled yourself, those additional 5 miles feel like 50.

I know in due time I am going to be doing sleepovers at her apartment at nights as I will not be able to afford 24/7 care. More than likely I will be able to pay to get her in home care during the week. I will sleep over on week nights, and bring her to stay at my house on the weekends.

When your dad next have that experience, I would suggest you/son go up and stand beside him. Look out the door with him. While rubbing his back, calmly ask him if he sees someone or did a sound startle him.

If it is in fact an hallucination, you need to bring that immediately to his doctor's attention.

Their short term memory is shot, so waiting hours before asking will most likely be greeted with denial on his part. "I did NOT go look out the door!" "You Are lying!" Etc…

All the best!🌷

SDianeL

Welcome. Both wandering, hallucinations and delusions are common. He may just be wandering. It’s dangerous because he could leave the house and wander off. It’s a huge safety issue. Or he could be having hallucinations. I don’t think I would ask him. He may not know. I would calmly say something like “you were dreaming, come back to bed” which worked for my DH sometimes. There were other times that he was like in a trance, sleep walking. I waited awhile and then said, I’m tired, let’s go to bed and he did. He never remembered it the next day. Talk to his doctor about anti anxiety meds. Wandering can be caused by anxiety. They can also prescribe for hallucinations. If possible get him a referral to a Getiatric Psychiatrist who is best to prescribe medications for dementia.