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My mom is 92 years old and from time to time she has situations where she basically hallucinates, she has anxiety and for sure either Alzheimer’s or dementia. I notice they happen when she doesn’t get sleep. She sees things, begins to pant uncontrollably and and screams that she’s in some pain or she is alone . It’s really hard to deal with . Other days she absolutely fine and her normal self it’s like Jeckle and Hyde !
Any thoughts friends !

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When my dad was ready to go home from the hospital and was clearly dying, I asked his doctor to prescribe something for his agitation. The doctor said he couldn’t because he didn’t want him to become dependent on the medication. I was flabbergasted because dad only had a few months to live and I wanted him to be as comfortable as possible. I said that he was 92 and if he became addicted, so what? He was dying. Doctor seemed taken aback by what I said. But he prescribed the medicine. Try it with your mom’s doctor.
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NeedHelpWithMom Dec 2022
So happy that you enlightened your father’s doctor! You were a wonderful advocate for your dad.
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I've noticed the same thing.

When my 95 yo mother wakes up all night long, we both have a rotten day after.

Around the 4th or 5th "get up" she becomes combative and angry as I'm escorting her to the bathroom. The next day she will be disoriented, ill-tempered, disrespectful and demanding.

Same thing when she hasn't had a BM for a day or two.

The rare nights when she sleeps all night or only gets us up one time, she is a different person - pleasant, aware of her surroundings, thankful for assistance.

So, it's sleep and gut/bowel issues that have the biggest impact for better or worse.
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Caldinea Dec 2022
The guts/bowels is the worst.
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Has your mother been checked for a UTI (urinary tract infection )? If bad, a UTI can cause some of the symptoms that you mention.
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Lizhappens Dec 2022
Very true. Forgot about that
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Lots of information available. Ask your health care professional or local Association. Following is a very small capsule of what I just researched:

Hallucinations and dementia | Alzheimer's Society
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk › symptoms-and-diagnosis

10 Ways to Respond to Dementia Hallucinations in Seniors
https://dailycaring.com › 10-ways-to-respond-to-dementia...

What stage of dementia are hallucinations?
Hallucinations are caused by changes in the brain which, if they occur at all, usually happen in the middle or later stages of the dementia journey. Hallucinations are more common in dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's dementia but they can also occur in Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.May 11, 2021

What is the most common type of hallucination for a person with dementia?
Visual hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there) are the most common type experienced by people with dementia. They can be simple (for example, seeing flashing lights) or complex (for example, seeing animals, people or strange situations).

10 ways to respond when someone is experiencing dementia hallucinations
Determine if a response is needed. ... 
Stay calm and don't argue or try to convince using logic. ... 
Validate their feelings and provide reassurance. ... 
Check the environment and remove possible triggers. ... 
Look for patterns. ... 
Distract and redirect. 

What is the best medicine for dementia hallucinations? Antipsychotic medications for hallucinations, delusions, aggression, agitation, hostility and uncooperativeness:
Aripiprazole (Abilify®)
Clozapine (Clozaril®)
Haloperidol (Haldol®)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa®)
Quetiapine (Seroquel®)
Risperidone (Risperdal®)
Ziprasidone (Geodon®)

Gena / Touch Matters
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Bridget66 Dec 2022
Gabapentin is excellent hallucinations. Economical and does not cause falls as much as some of the other meds mentioned.
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Mrsmarie: One dose of morphine sent my mother into a tailspin of hallucinogenic visual disturbances. Insomnia with dementia present can cause hallucinations.
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Of course! Hallucinations and delusions are a huge part of Alzheimer's.

My mom used to think that the TV was talking to HER.

If the hallucinations are not making your mother fearful, then just go with it. If they are causing fear or combativeness, then you might need to consider medication.

You will also need to get a definitive diagnosis for her Dementia.
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We first noticed a memory problem with mom at 70. Now at 77 we had to move her to a assisted living facility b/c her memory was less than 5 seconds, hallucinations, not able to prepare meals, take care of herself and her home. I constantly was overwhelmed with worry for her living on her own. I am relieved she is being well taken care of in her assisted living facility.
on many previous posts I see many parents are in their 90’s . I pray my momma doesn’t have to endure another 20 plus years in this no state of mind!!! .
Most of the time when I visit she does recognize me or refers of me as her sister. Asks about if I have talked with mom and or other relatives that have passed a many years ago, of course I just roll with it all.
It is definitely heartbreaking to say the least!!!
my next steps are to figure how to continue to pay for the facility her funds are dwindling fast. My options are cash in her life insurance and have Medicaid supplement or sell her home.
if we cash in we have to maintain her home until passing which is a lot of work, I’ve been doing for the last 7 years with not a lot of help from other siblings. I would prefer to sell her home keep life insurance going and just keep going. Others I feel have another agenda. ?

I often think, how are all these baby boomers going to manage the cost it is going to cost down the road for them!!!??? It will be astronomically crazy!!!
For all of you in this same boat I wish you strength, endurance and blessings in this new year of 2023
😘🤗☮️🤗🙏🏻
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My mom started dreaming of a young girl, around 5 or 6. Then she told me that she saw the girl while she was awake.

She took meds for her Parkinson’s disease and that is one of the possible side effects.

She developed dementia and tried walking out of the front door in the middle of the night. Who knows what is going on in their minds? It’s frightening and disturbing.
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My mom is getting ready to celebrate her 95th birthday in one week. I know that many would say the "people" my mom is seeing are hallucinations but I feel and tell her that they are spirits of those she loves/loved her to watch over her. The rough times are when she wakes up very upset because they want her to "get up" or "come home". Our family doctor told me it is better to go along with what she says/sees but I have such a hard time trying to explain to her that this is her home and that her parents are no longer here. I give her simple tasks to do at home that I can watch over so she feels she's "contributing" help. It also keeps her occupied for however long it takes. Good Luck and God Bless
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Strangers walking through the house (oh, and through the walls) and using the shower in their clothes
Bug infestation everywhere -- including the hospital ER and ambulance
Mice coming out of rooms under the doors
Birds chirping from within the walls
Time warps of seeing family members at random times
Imposters -- family members had been replaced by same named strangers
Aliens with bald heads coming for dinner

So, yes, hallucinations, delusions and paranoia are all classics in dementia. In MIL, it was there with and without UTI.

But the real irony was MIL laying in bed and sleeping through another memory care resident rummaging thru the drawers stealing items -- THAT was real and went completely unnoticed. LOL
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