Hallucinations in older adults can be alarming, both for them and their caretaker. These sensory experiences, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there, can stem from a variety of underlying causes. While sometimes linked to serious health conditions, not all hallucinations are signs of severe illness. Tap to read!
Cognitive Decline and Dementia
Such neurodegenerative disorders as Alzheimer's or Lewy body dementia may cause distorted perception where vivid hallucinations coupled with confusion occur regularly.
Infections Common
infections, such as UTIs or pneumonia, tend to produce sudden hallucinations among the elderly by way of inflammation or cerebral complications.
Side Effects of Medication
Certain medicines or some drug interactions could cause hallucinations in elderly people, notably painkillers, sedatives, and medications prescribed for Parkinsonism.
Sensory-Impairments
Vision or hearing loss can go berserk on the brain and induce hallucinations where one sees phantoms or hears voices.
Sleep Disorders
Poor sleep or sleep disorders like sleep apnoea interfere with normal brain functioning and cause these dream-like hallucinations occurring in the waking state.
Information credits
This information is sourced from the National Institute of Health (NIH). However, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if your parents or grandparents are experiencing hallucinations.