I would appreciate input - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

aprils mom · 02-12-2009, 07:13 PM

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post. My mother was recently diagnosed with alzheimer's as well as cerebral vascular dementia. She is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Specifically, she says she can hear her neighbors talking about her when she is in bed at night. She also hears people singing, which, is no big deal. My concern is how to approach the former. I don't want her to be alarmed about the neighbors "talking about" her. She is mostly just annoyed at this point. although I think she is starting to feel a little unsettled by it. But I want to alleviate concerns she has about this. Because she has severe hearing loss and refuses to wear her hearing aid, I've tried to point out that it is unlikely she is hearing anyone. I've tried suggesting maybe she dreamed the conversations and I've also attempted to reassure her that even if the neighbors are talking about her, they mean no harm. I try to live in the moment with my mother and try to accept her reality the way it is. But I don't want to exacerbate anything and make this more upsetting for her. Talking to the neighbors is out. The house next door is vacant. If anyone has advice, I would truly appreciate it.

quetzalmom · 02-12-2009, 08:54 PM

Hello and welcome April's mom. I'm glad to meet you but sorry you have reason to be here. You will no doubt get better advice from more experienced folk later, but I'll offer up what I know. You probably can't fix this. Even on a perfect day, in a lucid moment, your mom will forget any explanation you offer by the next morning. My mom does not have auditory hallucinations, but can for sure come up with some strange stuff. I also have an autistic son who rambles about odd fantasies. Sometimes the best response really is just "Uh huh".
All the best,
Q

dorri · 02-12-2009, 11:14 PM

Welcome to the board. Sorry I can't help you out with auditory hallucinations but my mom has had hallucinations where she sees things..sometimes horrible things. Does your mom actually hear the neighbours talking about her, or does she suspect they may be talking about her? Maybe in her mind it's all the same, but it is possible she could be hearing the voices?
You mention that she has hearing loss? does she have tinnitus? It sometimes accompanies Hearing loss. Tinnitus can cause one to hear all kinds of annoying noises which are very real but I don't know if that would apply to voices tones specifically? To your mom, what she hears is very real.

caringsister54 · 02-13-2009, 06:09 AM

April's Mom

I suggest a visit to an ear, nose and throat doctor. I agree that there may be 'sounds' coming from the inner-ear but if your mother has fillings she could also be picking up sound waves from radio or TV transmissions. Don't laugh it has been documented that this could occur. So once you rule out ears you can have dentist involved, if you want.

Otherwise, I'd just become a bobbin-head doll like Deb here. You bob your head, smile and say hmmm or huh huh. You just agree with everything.
then change the subject.

if your mother likes music then put a radio station for continous noise on in the background when she sleeps, etc.

One of the aspect of the disease is hallucinations and/or other things such as this.

My prayers are with you
CaringSister 54

DrewsG · 02-13-2009, 06:44 AM

Helllo and Welcome,

My Grandma had auditory hallucinations for about 2 years. Not every night and at times she would go weeks without hearing things. But when she did, nothing could convince her that people weren't fighting outside her bedroom window. We had caregivers 24/7 in her home and they tried to tell her and show her that no one was yelling. It didn't help. Gram was never put on any meds to help her with these hallucinations. Her Dr. at the time said there was nothing that would help without side effects. He felt she was too fragile at 94 to try them. I wish I knew then what I know now. I would have insisted that she be given something to help. She was in torment. She never slept through the night because of these "people". Eventually they stopped about the time Gram started to play with dolls and think she could play the organ and sing. Grandmas hearing was perfect. It was her Alz mind that heard the people.

Is your Mom living alone? If so, do you have plans to move her somewhere so that she'll be safe? Gram tried to go outside and she would have if someone had not been there to stop her. She would yell out the door for the imaginary people to stop yelling and go away. It was just awful for everyone. I don't mean to sound negative but no amount of explaining will do any good. Its their reality. Maybe meds would help her at this point?

I'm so sorry. Your Mom will not get better, only worse.

Love Chris