Is this normal for Alzheimer's

Merla

my parent has major delusions and hallucinations. It started out mild back in maybe October and now is rampant. She now literally has imaginary people in her life and tells us all about these few people and has full conversations with them and also has conversations in the air with real people who are not present.

one of the reasons I moved her was that she was highly unengaged in her firmer memory care community. As I understand it she spent tons of time laying in bed doing nothing. No music no tv no nothing. She did go to at least two meals a day. She was never well engaged in the community but she was highly isolated by choice the last few months.

at her new memory care community where she has only been a few days but she hasn't left her room when I'm. Not there. Before I left for a few hours I asked her if she wanted the news on or music and she said no. I put in music but it's like she is indifferent to it. So she is lying in bed immersed in her delusions. I know this bc she verbalizes her stream of consciousness so I hear her having conversations with the air. And when I called her to tell her I was in my way back she said oh great I just got back to playing pickle ball. Im just disturbed and discouraged. What is one supposed to even do with someone in. This state?

SusanB-dil

Does her doc know all of this? I've noticed through this forum that although this is not totally uncommon, I've never seen this behavior to this degree. And it may be more common in other dementias rather than alz.

SDianeL

Delusions and hallucinations are very common in dementia. As long as they don’t disturb her I wouldn’t worry about them. There may be medications to help. I would discuss with her doctor. As the disease progresses many PWD don’t engage or participate and withdraw. It’s because they have difficulty following conversations and being around people is too overwhelming. If the facility is offering there’s not much you can do. Forcing her will only cause anxiety. If she is depressed the doctor could prescribe something for that.

April23

Is she under the care of a geriatric psychiatrist? That is what I consistently see across my groups as the best doctor for medications to deal with dementia-related behaviors. Maybe now that she has moved you can find one in your area.

Merla

she had one at her former memory care but not at this new one yet. I booked her with this local legend of a neurologist who came recommended by the memory care but she couldn't get into this Dr until June. So given her mental state I'm going to have to figure out a quicker solution.

arldaughter

FWIW, my mother has LS dementia and has displayed delusions and hallucinations for quite some time. Before moving to MC she would talk with my father about seeing people in their home even when it was just the two of them. My understanding is this is normal, but I appreciate that it might be concerning or upsetting to you. I agree with SDianeL that if she doesn't appear to be upset by them, it may not be anything to worry about. Good luck!

Merla

my concern is the degree of her delusions and hallucinations. They are not passing but rather near constant. She is spending the majority of her day in a delusion or hallucination. It's really concerning. The delusions can be pleasant or not pleasant and they can cause her to harmful things like exit seek because she thinks there is someone in the parking lot waiting for her.