my mother's been waking up in the middle
of the night and seeing things in a room
that aren't actually there we're both
exhausted during the day because we're
not getting enough sleep at night good
night one
honey help me what's wrong mom there's
an evil man in the room mom please
there's nobody here no one's here go
back to bed come on
look there's nobody here all right go
back to bed
got a big day tomorrow come on tonight
mom a person with dementia may
experience hallucinations when the
disease affects the regions of the brain
that are responsible for interpreting
sights and sounds hallucinations
commonly involves seeing or hearing
things that aren't there
they can transform ordinary everyday
experiences into frightening episodes a
good approach to reducing hallucinations
is to identify and eliminate the objects
or things that trigger them
honey help me what's wrong there's an
evil man in the room oh really
let me take care of it okay oh I see
okay come on what L take care of it
can you stay out here now he's gone
okay I'll sit with you until you go to
sleep okay okay you know mom I think we
should keep your coat rack outside so
you have a place to keep your jackets
when you come in okay dear okay okay
good night
remember patients experiencing
hallucinations are having a difficult
time interpreting their surroundings
remain calm reassuring and try to
identify what may be triggering the
hallucinations
if elucidation persist after trying to
eliminate them be sure to discuss this
with their doctor here are a few tips on
how to reduce ELISA Nations look around
and try to see things through her eyes
what might cause her to misinterpret
what she sees identify potential
triggers such as open curtains shadows
mirrors or televisions left on in the
bedroom use a nightlight to create a
more peaceful sleeping environment
always remember to remain calm and
reassuring do not yell or scold her
help her back into bed and reassure her
that she is safe
you