Dementia hallucinations aren’t rare, but they don’t happen to everyone. Some seniors experience them as dementia progresses, while others never do. When they happen, they can be confusing or even scary—for both the senior and their caregiver.
This is when a caregiver’s role becomes even more important. With the right approach, you can help them through the confusion, calm their fears, and bring them back to the present. While there isn’t something you can immediately do to stop the hallucinations, there are many things you can do to support them through it.
How to Respond to Dementia Hallucinations
Hallucinations can feel very real to the person experiencing them. Dismissing or arguing with them may cause fear, frustration, or agitation. Instead, here’s how to handle these moments with patience and care.
- Stay calm and reassure them
Your calm presence means everything. Speak softly and gently, keep your body language relaxed, and make eye contact if they’re comfortable with it. Sudden movements or loud reactions can make them more anxious.
Instead of arguing or telling them they’re wrong, acknowledge what they’re feeling:
- “I understand that you’re seeing/hearing something.”
- “It sounds like that’s upsetting/frightening/confusing.”
- “I don’t see/hear what you do, but I believe you.”
Let them know they are safe and not alone:
- “You’re safe here with me.”
- “I’m here to help.”
- “We’ll get through this together.”
- Gently redirect their focus
Once they feel reassured, try shifting their attention to something familiar and comforting:
- Engage them in an activity – Listen to music, look at old photos, go for a short walk, or fold towels together.
- Talk about happy memories – Bring up a favorite family story or a familiar routine.
- Hand them a favorite object – A soft blanket, stuffed animal, or keepsake can provide comfort.
Sometimes, simply changing the environment can help them move past the moment.
- Check for possible triggers
The environment around them might be making the hallucination worse. Look for anything that could be causing confusion:
- Shadows or dim lighting – Poor lighting can create shapes or figures that aren’t really there. Use nightlights to keep things bright but soothing.
- Reflections – Mirrors, glass surfaces, or shiny objects can be confusing. Cover them if needed.
- Busy patterns – Wallpapers, carpets, or bedspreads with lots of patterns can make it hard to tell what’s real.
- Background noise – Loud TVs, radios, or sudden noises can trigger confusion or distress. Keep the environment calm and quiet.
Also, check for physical needs. Are they hungry? Thirsty? Too hot or cold? Do they need to use the bathroom? Sometimes, simple discomforts can make confusion and hallucinations worse.
- Use comfort and touch (if appropriate)
A gentle touch—like holding their hand or rubbing their back—can be very soothing, but only if they’re okay with it. Some people with dementia may not like being touched, especially if they’re feeling scared or confused.
If they don’t like touch:
- Give them something comforting to hold – A favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or familiar object can help.
- Use a soothing voice – Sometimes, calm and kind words can be just as comforting as touch
Telling them “that’s not real” or “you’re imagining things” won’t help—it may only make them more upset. Instead, meet them where they are. You don’t have to pretend to see what they see, but you can validate their feelings and offer reassurance.
The goal isn’t to make the hallucination disappear—it’s to help them feel safe and supported in that moment. And sometimes, that’s enough to bring them back to calm.
What Are Dementia-Related Hallucinations?
Hallucinations happen when someone sees, hears, smells, tastes, or feels something that isn’t real. In seniors with dementia, these experiences can be very clear and sometimes upsetting—both for them and for their caregivers.
To the person with dementia, the hallucination feels real, even if no one else sees or hears it. Telling them it’s not real won’t help and may only cause confusion or distress. Instead, knowing why these hallucinations happen and how to respond calmly can help keep them safe and reassured.
Not all hallucinations are distressing.
Some seniors find comfort in their hallucinations. For example, they may see a friendly figure from their past or hear music they enjoy. However, distressing hallucinations can trigger fear, anxiety, or aggression.
How Common Are Hallucinations in Dementia?
Hallucinations are most common in Lewy body dementia. They can also happen in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease dementia, and other types, but not everyone with dementia will experience them. They tend to happen more often as the disease progresses, though some seniors may never have them at all.
What Do Dementia Hallucinations Look Like?
Hallucinations can affect any of the five senses:
- Visual hallucinations
Seeing people, animals, objects, or flashing lights that aren’t there. Some may recognize these figures, while others see strangers or unfamiliar settings.
- Auditory hallucinations
Hearing voices, music, or sounds. These may be clear and distinct or muffled and unclear.
- Tactile hallucinations
Feeling sensations on the skin, like bugs crawling, water dripping, or being touched.
- Olfactory hallucinations
Smelling things that don’t exist, like smoke, gas, or perfume.
- Gustatory hallucinations
Tasting something unusual, like a bitter or metallic taste with no external cause.
Caregivers need to recognize the difference between hallucinations and illusions to respond effectively.
Hallucinations make someone see, hear, or feel things that aren’t there, so staying calm and offering reassurance helps.
Illusions happen when the brain misinterprets something real, like mistaking a shadow for a person. Adjusting the lighting or moving objects can often clear up the confusion.
What Causes Hallucinations in Dementia?
Dementia affects the brain’s ability to process reality, which can lead to misinterpreting sights, sounds, and sensations. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but they’re linked to changes in brain function and perception.
Other factors that can worsen or trigger hallucinations include:
- Changes in the brain
As dementia progresses, brain cells degenerate, affecting perception and sensory processing.
- Poor lighting and environment triggers
Shadows, reflections, or even patterned wallpaper can cause confusion, making a senior think they see something that isn’t there.
- Medication side effects
Some medications used for dementia, Parkinson’s, or mental health conditions can increase hallucinations.
- Sensory impairments
Hearing or vision loss can lead the brain to “fill in the gaps”, resulting in auditory or visual hallucinations.
- Infections or dehydration
UTIs, fevers, and dehydration can worsen dementia symptoms, sometimes triggering temporary hallucinations.
When to Seek Medical Help for Dementia Hallucinations
Not all hallucinations require medical intervention, but some could indicate a serious issue.
Signs that Medical Attention Is Needed
Consider calling a doctor if:
- The hallucinations cause fear, distress, or aggression.
- The senior acts unsafely, such as wandering, lashing out, or refusing care.
- The hallucinations start suddenly, which could mean an infection, medication side effect, or other health issue.
How a Doctor Can Help
A physician can identify possible causes and recommend the best way to manage hallucinations. They may:
- Adjust medications to reduce symptoms.
- Check for underlying issues like UTIs, dehydration, or vitamin deficiencies, which can worsen confusion.
- Offer care recommendations to help families and caregivers provide the best support.
If hallucinations become frequent or disruptive, getting medical advice can help ease distress and improve quality of life.
How Memory Care Communities Help Manage Hallucinations
Caring for a parent or grandparent who experiences dementia-related hallucinations can feel overwhelming.
Memory care communities provide a safe, structured environment with trained caregivers who understand dementia and know how to respond with patience, reassurance, and kindness.
Care From Trained Dementia Experts
Hallucinations can be startling and distressing, but memory care staff know how to handle them with calmness and reassurance. Caregivers provide:
- A steady, reassuring presence to help seniors feel safe.
- Consistent daily routines to create comfort and familiarity.
- Gentle redirection to shift focus away from distressing hallucinations.
Their goal is always the same: helping seniors feel calm, secure, and understood—no matter what they’re experiencing.
A Safe, Soothing Environment
The right environment can make a huge difference in reducing hallucinations. Memory care communities are thoughtfully designed to minimize confusion and anxiety, creating spaces that feel comfortable and familiar:
- Well-lit rooms and hallways prevent shadows that might cause fear or confusion.
- Predictable daily routines help seniors feel safe and in control.
- Quiet, peaceful spaces reduce stress and overstimulation.
Everything is set up to help seniors navigate their day with confidence and ease.
24/7 Support for Peace of Mind
Memory care communities provide round-the-clock care, so families never have to worry about handling these moments alone. There’s always someone ready to step in and offer comfort when it’s needed.
- Caregivers are always nearby to provide reassurance.
- Safety measures prevent wandering and reduce fall risks.
- Care plans adapt as dementia progresses, ensuring the right support at every stage.
For families, this means less stress, fewer sleepless nights, and more quality time with their senior parents or grandparents.
At 12 Oaks Senior Living, we specialize in memory care that supports seniors and their families, ensuring a safe, compassionate environment for those with dementia.
Caring for a parent or grandparent with dementia isn’t easy, especially when hallucinations happen. 12 Oaks Senior Living offers expert memory care designed to reduce distress, provide reassurance, and create a safe, supportive environment.
Schedule a tour today to see how we help seniors feel secure, engaged, and at ease in their daily lives.
