Responding To Dementia

This is a helpful article which was reprinted ( from Mayo Clinic Rochester--Geriatric Medicine, Nov/Dec/2000) in the Parkinson News of the Central OhioParkinson Society. I have extracted the main points----

"How to respond to paranoia, delusions and Hallucinations"

1. Assess whether the problem is troublesome or frigtening to the person. If not, ignoring it may be the best approach.
2. If a person is hallucinating. leave him alone, or approach slowly, so as not to frighten him/her. Respond with caution.
3. Don't try to argue or rationalize. Realize that hallucinations and delusions are very real to the person, and arguing will not build trust.
4. Offer reassurance and validation: "I know this is troubling for you; let me see if I can help." Think pof reassuring action you can take.
5. Check out the reality of the situation--maybe what they see or think is true.
6. Sometimes things in the environment are misinterpreted (i.e. glare or shadow in the window, noisy furnace, etc are frightening. Explain potential or actual misinterpretation, e.g. that noise is the furnace turning on.
7. modify the environment of needed.(A mirror may be distracting or confusing; adding more light at night may help.)
8. Assess if the person's hearing or vision needs are met, to reduce excess disabilities that may contribute to these problems.
9. Keep a daily log to determine if the problem behavior is worse at certain times of day or night. Also log med times to help determine any link between meds and behavior, for discussion with a physician.