Delusions

• A delusion, according to HealthyPlace, is "a false idea, sometimes originating in a misinterpretation of a situation" (see Reference 2). In a demographic study of Alzheimer's patients published by PubMed, delusions most often were associated with older persons, those who were depressed, those who took hypertensive medications or those who were overall in poor health (see Resource 1).
  
  

Hallucinations

• According to HealthyPlace, in contrast to a delusion, a hallucination is "a false perception of objects or events, and is sensory in nature" (see Reference 2). Hallucinations occur in an estimated 20 percent to 40 percent of Alzheimer's patients, according to OurAlzheimer's.com. They are usually visual or auditory, but can involve any or all of the five senses (see Resource 2). According to the PubMed study, among the Alzheimer's patients most likely to experience hallucinations were those with less education, more severe dementia and a longer period of illness (see Resource 1).
  
  

Drugs

• Antipsychotic medications are considered effective treatments. According to Psychosomatics, "regular-dose haloperidol (2 to 3 mg/day) had the most favorable therapeutic profile for delusions and hallucinations in Alzheimer's disease patients." Another drug, risperidone, "significantly improved symptoms of psychosis in patients with dementia" when given in doses of 1 mg/day (see Reference 3). Delusions and hallucinations are considered psychotic because they indicate that the patient is unable to distinguish what is real from what is not.
  
  

Alternatives

• Drugs should be administered to patients suffering hallucinations with caution, and only in emergencies or if other treatment options fail. According to Psychosomatics, alternative options include "environmental and behavioral modification" (see Reference 3). Remember that a person suffering from hallucinations is experiencing a different reality from yours, so try to deflect the patient's hallucinatory misgivings in as harmless a way as possible. You can do this by employing several strategies.
  
  

Strategies

• First and foremost, assess whether the hallucinations are dangerous or frightening and, if so, take immediate steps to reduce those dangers or feelings. Respond gently and patiently without arguing or finding fault with the patient. Be honest. Don't say, for instance, that you also see what is not there. Check out anything the patient finds alarming or suspicious. Reassure him that you will keep him safe. Consider modifying the patient's environment to eliminate any possible causes of optical illusions or other false impressions, such as shadows or glares (see Reference 2 and Resource 2).