What can I do when my mom sees imaginary people in the house?

My mother had the same problem - hallucinating and scared of people she was seeing that were not there. There was a remarkable change in that situation when we took my mother off Tramadol - a pain killer that we replaced with Tylenol and Ibuprofen. You might want to check your Mom's meds. Could be a bad mix or just something that is causing her more problems than it fixes. Good luck!

tltimme - your are right. In fact, I have let her doctor know about my concerns. I have to get meore assertive here, I think.

This sounds like Dementia with Lewy Bodies. This is a type of dementia that is similar in many respects to Parkinsons (tremors, physical slowing, rigidity). However, one of the cardinal signs is well formed visual hallucinations, usually of people or animals. DLB is often misdiagnosed as a late onset psychosis. A correct diagnosis is very important because antipsychotic medications used to treat hallucinations in people with psychotic disorders can actually exacerbate the symptoms of DLB and, in some people, hasten death.

DLB is the 2nd most common form of dementia, after Alzheimers. Other signs include fluctuations in alertness (sleepy some days, alert on others); difficulty with REM (rapid eye movement) sleep (the person tends to act out their dreams); cognitive decline; or delusions.

There is no individual test that can give a definitive diagnosis of DLB. Instead, clinicians arrive at the diagnosis by systematically eliminating other causes of the symptoms.

I'm a geriatric neuropsychologist in Northern California and I specialize in the diagnosis of dementia. Good luck with your mother.

Her doctor definitely needs to know about this behavior. Drugs should be evaluated/considered. And this may be a clue about what type of dementia she has. As Dr Nancy says, this is typical of DLB.

Hallucinations can also be caused by infections, in particular uti's. Be sure to rule that possibility out.

Aside from these practical medical considerations, tltimme, I can't understand why you are not doing anything about these people. Don't you happen to know a Shaman? Or an Officer of the Law. Or a friend who owns or would rent an officer of the law uniform? Whatever its cause, this is your mother's reality. If it's not a problem for her, live with it. If it is bothering her, help her change it, in a way she can accept and take comfort in.

I see that this thread started back in Oct. Tltimme, if you are still around, it would be interesting to have an update.

jeannegibbs and all of the others who have posted answers, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart. Mom was tested by a neuropsychologist and we received answers to some of our questions in the beginning of December. She was diagnosed with Alzheimers in the moderate stage. The neuropsychologist also said that there could be some DLB as she has characteristics of that with the hallucinations. It has been a learning experience with a definite learning curve! As I am her major caregiver I see the good and the bad moods, were as my brothers seem to catch all the good mood periods. There are times that I feel like I am living in two different worlds, one the normal work world where I can handle things with logic and the at home alternate universe were everything is somewhat wonky. My oldest brother is a retired police officer, I should have him come and demand that everyone who isn't suppose to be there has to leave...Again thanks to all who have taken time from their busy lives to respond to me. Happy Holidays!

i have the same problem. my mom just called me from my sisters. she is living with her now. she says she dont have very long to live. when she goes to sleep at night, she sees kids and dogs and they dont say anything to her. she had a man in her bed one night and they scare her to death. i am crying because i dont know what to do for her. she continues to say that she doesnt have much time in this world. i am at my wits end. i would not want to have dreams like that. i would be frantic. i can imagine what its like for her. help!

Heemomee, what is your mother's diagnosis? Age? Is she in fact near the end of her life or is that delusional? How long has she been hallucinating people?

I suppose you've read the answers in this thread, and know that a uti is often the culprit. It is very important to have her tested for that.

Perhaps instead of trying to convince Mother that the people aren't real, Sis could work on convincing her that there is a plan in place to keep them out.

well i am not sure of her diagnosis. she is 83 and she says she doesnt have very long to live. she wakes up in the morning scared to death. this has been going on for about a year i guess. you think it could be a uti? she has had those off and on. she goes to the doctor soon and i will tell her to ask the doctor to test her for a uti. when i talk to her tomorrow i will tell her that we have a plan in place. thanks for your help.

I have found out the hard way that the UTI's can cause major upheaval to the mind of an alzeheimers person. Mom has has two so far this year, at her next doctors appt. I am going to ask about a daily dose of antibotic. Try as I may I can't get her to drink more water.

she hasnt been diagnosed with alzheimers yet so i am not sure she even has this. but i will bring it up with her doctor. she says she is losing her mind. thanks tltimme

Hee - You have gotten great advice.

If you can try to get your mom to be seen by a gerontologist. They will be able to better evaluate your mom as who what type of dementia and where she is on the spectrum of stages of each type. Not all dementia;s are alike or treated the same.
If there is a medical school within driving distance, then try to get her an appointment with one of the gerontolgists affiliated with the medical school.

My mom likely has Lewy Body Dementia - she sees small animals and has very elaborate "false beliefs". No UTI's. At the beginning, the hallucinations were of concern to her but now about 5 yrs into it, she just kinda takes it as a matter of fact. She is on Exelon patch and Remeron and for her, they work well and keep her "level". Now it takes like 3 months for them to get into their system and the meds need to be very much on a time schedule but for her it is a good thing.

In a way, your mom is spot-on in that she IS losing her mind. The dementia is causing her brain to shrink and for parts of it to die or go black. Good luck.

Heemomee, my best advice is sit down and make a list of things to discuss with the doctor. Include odd behavior and if possible a timeline as to when they started. Is your mom worse at night, or just before dawn. Would it help to have nightlight burning or even a low watt bulb in a lamp. Whatever you decide to do, make sure the doctor answers your questions and just doesn't brush it off as her being old. That is what my mom's old doctor did, needless to say we changed doctors quickly.

tltimme, yes she has the dreams or whatever it is at night and when she gets up, she is very dizzy and afraid. she does have a nightlight. will make sure about the doctor visit.

igloo 572, i will check and see if that kind of doctor is in our area. thank you.

One thing that worked well for my mom when she was still in IL was to put torch style lamps on timers (not table lamps - these she would go an turn off). I had 3 of them set in corners (1 in bedroom and 2 in the living/dining area). The bedroom one was set to go on 6:30 AM and off 10 AM and then again 6PM to 11:oo PM - so no matter what the weather and sunlight, there would be light in her room so she would know ok it's light i need to be up the day has started. The other 2 were set to go off at 10:45 PM so that gave her a 15 minute closure to her day in her bedroom

About the dizziness, ask her md about having her on a vertigo drug.

One big issue is they try to get up quickly and get dizzy from the change in pressure in doing this. Sometimes if they pump their hands while still in bed or after sitting for long periods of time ( open & close their hands and alternate with clenching/making a fist) this gets their blood going so when they stand they don't get dizzy. Try doing this with her for a week to see if it makes a difference.

ok. will do. i thank everyone for their help. i learned a lot. i love this website.

Website does make you feel less alone on this journey!

About night lights and dim lamps, etc. Sometimes this kind of lighting throws shadows that seem strange and can make hallucinations worse. Sigh. Can't win, huh? I think light is a good thing. Just consider if it leaves dark corners or makes strange shadows.

Yeah found that out the hard way also, mom doesn't like the nightlights, but she'll sleep with a low watt lamp on.

Yep can't win for losing.

For us, the torch style lamps worked best as the light is pretty up and straight directional so theres's minimal shadows if you have them in a corner with nothing around, and they were tall enough that she couldn't get to them. These were from IKEA under $ 12 too with the switch on the side of pole, which was good as she didn't see it to mess with it. Jeanne - I'd forgotten about the shadow issue......she had a whole thing on the shadows coming in at night back when she was in IL. Her apt was alongside the driveway to the parking carports and even though it was on the 3rd floor, the car lights would track only along her bedroom wall and freak her. DId a long valence on that window and problem solved. You really have to get down to their sightline to "see" how they do.

At her NH now, they come around and turn off the lights, tv's at 9PM and it seems they have the sundowners on one side of her floor.

UTIs can cause hallucinations and other disturbances even in people who have no dementia.

I know I hear mom moving around her room at night. But if I don't actually get up and go in to check on her after awhile she will lay back down. Working fulltime it's tiring to be up all night with her and then go to work.

well i just heard that mother is in the hospital with a uti. on my way over there. prayers please. :)

Both for you and your mom.