My 80 yr old mother has been seeing an infestation of carpet beetles in her apartment. Is this delusional? Dementia? Mental illness?

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My 80 yr old mother has been seeing an infestation of carpet beetles in her apartment. Is this delusional? Dementia? Mental illness?

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https://www.agingcare.com/articles/hallucinations-delusions-and-paranoia-151513.htm

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I went to this link and found it VERY helpful in explaining things. Thank you so much!

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My father saw bugs on people late in his dementia. It didn't seem to bother him as much as your mother or as much as it would me if I thought there were bugs in my food. You might have them check the lighting in her place and make sure her glasses are up to prescription.

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I don't think this will be of help, but is it possible to have a bed bug sniffing dog do an inspection? That's the only thing I could think of until I read you had pest control people in already and I'm sure they would have picked up on the signs...if you can't get to her easily I'd at least try connecting with a local office on aging to see what can be done...

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Quick answer. Tell her you will continue to check on the bug situation and that it is a good time to visit the doctor to check out her health situation as well as make plans for the future (poa?) Talk to doctor first and let them check for uti, etc.

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I have read about this type of thing before. Apparently, it's not all that uncommon. You can google Delusory Cleptoparasitosis or Delusional Parasitosis. Her primary may be able to help get her diagnosed and rule out some causes. I've read that even vitamin deficiencies can cause things like this, but, it could be any number of things. I hope you can find her some help. Living under that belief must be incredibly stressful for her.

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Thank you for your response. I did look up your terms and found it all very interesting. Sad but true. Not many treatment options, but I appreciate your knowledge.

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I know it’s an apartment and you don’t have much control over the decor but maybe try some sort of hardwood or laminate over the carpeting? It may change her perspective.

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Hallucinations like these can sometimes occur with urinary tract infections. She should be tested asap. It may not be dementia.

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It’s very difficult to handle something like this from afar. It sounds like your mother has reached the point in her disease where she has begun to hallucinate. My mom was the same way and I can say that her hallucinations and delusions got worse as time went on. Is it possible that Mom should no longer be living alone?

How understanding is your boss or supervisor? Because, you really need to take some time off to handle this. It’s not something you can do over the phone. Find out when you can get some time off and make a bona fide doctor’s appointment, face to face with her doctor. Get her there somehow, even if you have to fib to her. She needs to be evaluated for possible placement in a facility. Do some online research about the facilities in her, or your area if moving her closer to you is an option.

Unfortunately, if she has dementia, there is no reverse gear. She will develop more and more issues as time goes on, and st some point you will have to face the upheaval of placement. It’s better to have a plan in place sooner rather than later.

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My 80 yr old mother has been seeing an infestation of carpet beetles in her apartment. Is this delusional? Dementia? Mental illness?

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