How to Deal with Hallucinations at the End of Life

Hospice Care in Decatur GA

Hallucinations can start to become a problem for your aging family member as she nears the end of her life. A hallucination is a perception, usually through visual or auditory means, about something that’s not actually happening. Sometimes hallucinations are disturbing for you and for your senior.

If You Can Identify One Cause, You May Be Able to Do Something

There are so many different reasons why your family member could be developing hallucinations now. Medications, particularly strong medications, can cause side effects that your senior may find difficult. Dehydration, anemia, and infections are just a few of the other causes that could be creating this situation. The problem is that as your senior edges closer to the end of her life, it’s rarely one particular cause contributing to her hallucinations. If you are able to identify just one situation, you may be able to make some headway.

Validate Your Senior and Reassure Her

You probably are not going to be able to convince your senior that the hallucinations she’s experiencing are not real. The situation is real enough for her in that moment and that’s the reality that she’s in. Validating what she’s experiencing may be all that you can do, realistically. You can also reassure your senior that you’re with her and that she’s alright and safe where she is. Sometimes saying less and just offering comforting touches can be more effective.

Explain What’s Going on to Other Family Members

You may find the hallucinations that your senior is experiencing to be upsetting, but they can be downright terrifying for other family members to witness. They may be spending more time with your elderly family member in deference to her coming transition out of this life and witnessing some of what she’s experiencing can be confusing and deeply troubling. Do what you can to explain what’s happening and why, so that they’re able to help you in your quest to validate and to reassure your senior.

Work with Hospice Elder Care Providers to Keep Her as Comfortable as Possible

As upsetting as this situation can be for you and for other family members, it helps to have people there with you who know what this is like. Hospice elder care providers can give you and your family member the support that you need to face what’s happening. They can help your senior to be as comfortable as she can be, even in light of the difficulties she’s facing.

Do what you can to support your elderly family member at this time as well as yourself. Take time away if you can, and make sure that you’re eating and sleeping.

If you are or a loved one is considering hospice care in Decatur, GA, please call the caring staff at Arcturus Hospice and Palliative Care today. Call 678-383-9973 today to speak to our care team.