David and his dad at the beach back in the 1980's
Here's some excellent information that was sent to me by a friend. I really appreciate all the words of encouragement I've received from everyone.. Just call me 'agreeable' now.
From Carrie Hill, PhD, for About.com
Hallucinations are sensory experiences that seem real to people with Alzheimer's disease, yet they are not really happening. The most common hallucinations are visual (seeing something that isn't really there) and auditory (hearing something that isn't really there), but hallucinations can also occur in regard to taste, smell, and touch.
Because hallucinations seem so real to those with Alzheimer's, it is not helpful to try to convince them that they are imagining things. Instead, acknowledge your loved one's feelings, try to reassure him/her that you are there to help, and redirect to a pleasant activity.
Another thing to consider is whether the hallucination is actually bothering your relative. If it's a pleasing hallucination -- for example, your loved one sees birds and flowers outside a window that are not really there -- there may be no benefit in trying to discourage or minimize the behavior.
And I say, "thank you God for so much understanding and advice from friends."
4 comments:
Good morning Dolores, what wonderful information to have. It's an ever ending learning experience isn't it? Sometimes good and sometimes not so good.. I hope you and David are having a good week.... many hugs ~lynne~
Good Morning Delores,
That was excellent advise... I am going to try to send you a link of a true story that I wrote to a girl named Kristin. Kristen is a fellow Blogger, her Father has Alzheimer's.
The advice that you were given is the best advice ever. My Mother constantly saw things. She would ask me if it was real and I would be very honest and tell her that it was part of her Alzheimer's/Dementia. She understood. She didn't like it but most days she understood. If she was persistent about seeing something I would reassure her that I would protect her and i would just skip the subject. I would ask her to tell me about the time she moved to California or about anything from her childhood. That always seemed to work.
Please ask David's neurologist about NMDA (Nemenda?) It really helps with the hallucinations.
Thank you so much for the compliments on my blog! :) Oh and the Mimosa tree itself does not smell like much but when the little flowers bloom they have a very faint sweet smell to them. Give one a little sniff one day.. :)
xoxoxoxo
Donna Marie
Delores,
Please read this when you get chance. This is a true story and I wrote it... Kriste featured it on her blog.
http://www.alzheimersteam.com/2009/01/do-you-know-me.html
xoxoxoxo
Donna Marie
Sounds like wonderful advice!
My keyboard is working again! Yeaaa! :-))))
Love you!! L~
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