Older adults suffering from any of several medical conditions may develop hallucinations. Seniors who are plagued by hallucinations are unlikely to report their experiences. Nevertheless, it is important for caregivers to understand what causes aging people to experience hallucinations at night.
An accurate, complete definition of hallucinations is difficult to pin down. In general, a broad definition may be the abnormal perception of objects that are not present in reality. Hallucinations may be visual or auditory. Affected seniors may also feel or taste things that are not there.
Hallucinations remain underreported by seniors due to their fears of being labeled mentally ill or psychiatric hospitalization. Elderly individuals who do report their hallucinations may be misdiagnosed by health practitioners; or, their condition may be mismanaged by mental health professionals.
Visual hallucinations have a number of causes, ranging from ophthalmologic diseases, neurologic conditions, psychiatric illnesses, or metabolic disorders. Hallucinations are surprisingly common in the older population, especially in long-term care settings. Advancing age is a predictor of developing hallucinations, specifically in dementia patients.
Cognitive Decline
Cognitive decline is a common cause of hallucinations in the elderly. A decrease in the brain’s ability to function optimally may be due to diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and overall decline due to growing older.
Approximately 18 percent of Alzheimer’s patients develop visual hallucinations. The hallucinations are usually non-threatening and may even be a source of comfort to the senior. These elderly dementia patients who experience hallucinations may see adults, children, or animals in the room.
Delirium
Delirium might be involved when seniors experience hallucinations. Delirium-related hallucinations often take the form of misperceptions, such as falsely seeing a chest of drawers as a human being or an animal. Seniors with dementia are at a higher risk for developing delirium.
The causes of delirium are many and varied. They include urinary, skin, or respiratory infections. Seniors who suffer from metabolic disorders, such as dehydration or hyperglycemia, may also develop hallucinations. Head trauma, seizures, and stroke are additional causes of delirium.
Urinary Tract Infections
An altered mental state is evident when a senior develops a urinary tract infection (UTI). Oftentimes, it is the only symptom present in an elderly UTI patient. In addition to hallucinations, the older adult may experience confusion, dizziness, and agitation or fall more frequently.
Medications
Certain prescription drugs are known to cause hallucinations in older people. Commonly used drugs that have the potential to cause hallucinations include opioids, corticosteroids and antibiotics. Seniors who take over-the-counter drugs, such as herbs or complementary medicines, are also vulnerable.
Illegal Drugs
Older people are not as likely to abuse illegal drugs as their younger counterparts; however, substance abuse does occur and can lead to hallucinations. Illicit drugs associated with visual hallucinations are cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, and amphetamines. Opioid drug use can be prescribed or illicit.
Alcohol Withdrawal
As with many drugs, withdrawing from alcohol can produce hallucinations, especially nocturnal ones. Visual hallucinations at night may occur even in elderly adults whose brains otherwise clearly perceive and interpret sensory stimuli. Discontinuing sedatives and hypnotics produces hallucinations as well.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
Charles Bonnet Syndrome is responsible for causing vivid hallucinations in older adults, even those who are psychologically and cognitively healthy. Central or ocular visual impairment is present in most aging individuals who experience visual hallucinations because of Charles Bonnet Syndrome.
In fact, approximately 60 percent of elderly patients who suffer from severe vision loss have one or more visual hallucinations. Macular degeneration is the most common form of vision impairment linked with Charles Bonnet Syndrome, but any cause of vision loss can lead to hallucinations.
Neurological Disease
A range of neurological conditions are causes of hallucinations in the elderly. People who experience migraines or seizures, for example, can occasionally report hallucinations, consisting of lines, patterns, or simple shapes. Although rare, stroke can cause seniors to see hallucinations of people or animals.
Sleep Deprivation
Seniors who are deprived of sleep may complain of hallucinations at night. These hallucinations may prevent the older adult from enjoying a quality night’s sleep, and the sleep disturbances or lack of sleep can in turn contribute to the hallucinations.
Some types of hallucinations are reversible, specifically when the underlying cause of the hallucinations is promptly treated. It is important that caregivers and the healthcare team pinpoint the exact cause, thereby avoiding unnecessary drug therapies and reducing the risk of prescribing multiple medications.
Treating seniors with hallucinations can be done by removing possible triggers. Shadows, for instance, can cause hallucinations at night. Move objects in the bedroom to avoid the likelihood of shadows. Remain calm when hallucinations are reported and avoid arguing that they are unreal.
Validating seniors’ feelings can also help by confirming to them that they are supported. Distractions can be useful for taking their minds off the hallucinations. Going for a walk, assembling a puzzle, treating the senior to a snack, or singing a favorite song are beneficial to the older adult.
When your loved one experiences hallucinations, it can be either frightening or joyful. Regardless of how they respond to their hallucinations, seniors will find plenty of compassionate support from the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care. We work to promote seniors’ comfort and well-being.
Our overnight caregivers are essential when the senior has trouble falling and staying asleep, whether due to hallucinations or another medical condition. We help older adults prepare for a quality night’s rest by assisting with personal hygiene tasks, dressing for bed, and getting safely into bed.
Seniors with vision loss, dementia, or who have just had surgery benefit from the overnight care provided by Assisting Hands Home Care. Bonded and licensed caregivers from our home care agency give families peace of mind as we tend to all the senior’s nonmedical care needs.
Choose Assisting Hands Home Care for quality senior companionship, overnight care, or dementia care. We’ll conduct an initial assessment of your home to determine care needs. Our caregivers are privileged to serve the elderly living in Westlake, North Olmsted, North Ridgeville, Fairview Park, Avon, Avon Lake, OH. Call us today at (440) 517-4623 to schedule a complimentary consult.
