Anne (53) shows a friend the contents of her wardrobes, explaining what can be stored in each one.
wat je allemaal kan opruimen.
A caregiver knocks on Anne’s bedroom door. Anne (62) is standing close to the wardrobe pressing herself against the door with her finger held to her lips. She points and gestures toward the wardrobe. The caregiver reassures her and eventually accompanies Anne to breakfast.
The focus of this material is hallucinations. People with dementia may sometimes see, hear, smell, or feel things that are not actually present. These experiences can be pleasant—for example, hearing beautiful music—but they can also be frightening. In some cases, there may be a trigger for the hallucination.
The case “I am Anne” explores Anne’s life story and the onset of her dementia, including early signs such as getting lost. It also provides important context for the other cases; therefore, it is recommended to watch I am Anne again.
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There are several ways to respond when a person with dementia experiences hallucinations. These hallucinations result from changes in the brain and are part of dementia-related behavioral changes. It is important to remain calm and avoid being drawn into fear. In some situations, talking about the hallucination can be helpful.
What works—and what does not—varies from person to person and from moment to moment. The situation is often unpredictable. As a professional or informal caregiver, you are the one who must find the most appropriate response. In doing so, you will continually encounter questions, many of which have ethical implications.
Would you like to learn more about dealing with hallucinations? 'The caregiver’s companion to intellectual disabilities and dementia: 100 real-life questions and answers' contains 100 practical questions and answers. will be released soon. for now, it is available in Dutch.
