How to Comfort a Loved One Experiencing Hallucinations

When someone you love experiences hallucinations, it can be a distressing and confusing time for everyone involved. Hallucinations are sensory experiences that appear real but do not actually occur in the environment. They can involve any of the 5 senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell—and can range from mild to severe.

If you have a loved one who is experiencing hallucinations, here are some tips on how to offer support:

Remain calm
Listen and validate their emotions
Ask open-ended questions
Avoid dismissing or denying hallucinations
Offer reassurance and comfort
Help them ground themselves in reality
Encourage them to seek professional help
Take care of yourself

Hallucinations can be caused by dementia, and could be a sign that your loved one can benefit from memory care-especially if you’re experiencing symptoms of caregiver burnout yourself.

Remain Calm

The first step in comforting someone experiencing hallucinations is to remain calm. It’s natural to feel scared or anxious when your loved one is going through something like this, but it’s important to keep a level head and not let your emotions take control. This will help create a safe and calming environment for your loved one.

Listen & Validate Their Emotions

One of the most important things we can do for our loved ones is simply listen to them. Allow them to express their thoughts and feelings without judgment or interruption. Valuing their emotions is essential, even if you don’t understand or agree with their experiences. Let them know that what they are going through is real for them and that it’s okay to feel scared, confused, or upset.

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Asking open-ended questions can help you better understand your loved one’s hallucinations. It also shows that you are listening and trying to understand their experience. Avoid asking leading questions or jumping to conclusions. Instead, let them share their thoughts and feelings in their own words.

Avoid Dismissing or Denying Their Hallucinations

It can be tempting to dismiss or deny your loved one’s hallucinations, especially if they seem unrealistic or impossible. However, this can further distress them and make them feel misunderstood. Remember that for someone experiencing hallucinations, these experiences are very real and scary.

Offer Reassurance & Comfort

Hallucinations can be frightening for both the person experiencing them and those around them. Offer reassurance by reminding your loved one that they are safe with you and that you are there for them. You can also offer comfort by holding their hand, hugging them, or simply sitting with them in silence.

Help Them Ground Themselves in Reality

When someone is experiencing hallucinations, it can be challenging for them to differentiate between what is real and what is not. Help your loved one ground themselves in reality by asking them to describe their surroundings or engage in a calming activity like counting objects in the room.

Encourage Professional Help

If your loved one’s hallucinations are causing significant distress or interfering with their daily life, encourage them to seek professional help. A therapist or psychiatrist can provide support and treatment options that can help manage their symptoms.

Take Care of Yourself

Supporting a loved one with hallucinations can be emotionally taxing. Make sure to take care of yourself as well. Seek support from friends and family, practice self-care, and consider talking to a therapist or joining a support group for caregivers of people experiencing mental health challenges.

How Assisted Living Can Help

In some cases, hallucinations may become too overwhelming for a person to manage on their own. In this situation, memory care communities can provide specialized care and support.

Here are some ways memory care can help:

Trained staff: Memory care communities have trained staff who are familiar with handling hallucinations and other mental health issues. They can provide a safe and supportive environment for your loved one.
Medication management: If your loved one’s hallucinations are caused by a medical condition, memory care staff can assist in managing their medications to alleviate symptoms.
Therapeutic activities: There are various activities that may be therapeutic for individuals with hallucinations, such as art therapy, music therapy, and pet therapy.
Socialization opportunities: Isolation can worsen hallucinations, but assisted living offers opportunities for socialization with peers and engaging in meaningful activities, promoting a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of loneliness.
24/7 care: Assisted living communities have staff available 24/7 to provide care and support, ensuring your loved one’s safety and well-being at all times.

Supporting Mental Health with Personalized Care

Hallucinations can be a challenging experience for both the individual experiencing them and their loved ones. However, it is possible to manage and cope with these symptoms with patience, understanding, and proper support.

At Juniper Village at Mount Joy, we understand the importance of providing personalized care and support for all people. Our community offers specialized programs and services to help individuals cope with hallucinations and other symptoms related to dementia. We strive to create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment that promotes overall well-being for residents.

Cindy Longfellow