My husband (64) is in the middle stage of EOAD and I believe he is expereincing halluncinations. So far they have not been persecutive and he often refers to himself in the third person. I have not challanged him in any of these situations, is this the correct way to handle this situation?

This is definitely something to run by his doctor! Sometimes our hallucinations are not a big deal, sometimes they are, so let a professional talk with him and you about them.

As for responding to benign hallucinations, you're correct in not challenging him.

Again, please discuss this with his doctor.

Dear A H Sinclair,

It sounds like you are doing the right thing. As long as hallucinations don’t bother or cause harm for you, the person with disease, or others, it is best to ignore them and use strategies to help the person. However, if hallucinations are continuous, you may consult a physician to determine if there is an underlying physical cause, such as, hearing or vision impairment.
It could be difficult to sometimes accept the hallucinations when they are non-threatening or pleasant to the PWD (person with disease). Although we don’t see or hear what the person is hallucinating, it is important to remember that for the PWD, what they see or hear are real. Since some hallucinations are disturbing, it is very common for PWD to get agitated or exhibit behaviors because of them. Hallucinations and delusions may not be continuous, but may occur at specific times of day, such as at “sundown,” on arising or at bedtime. If you see a pattern, it might help to try to prevent activities or environment settings that trigger the hallucinations.
Some common hallucinations experienced by people with dementia can include the following:
• Insects/bugs.
• “Little children” crawling all around.
• Faces without features.
• Pieces of lint or small things that the person picks at on the floor, on their body, or in the air.
• Hear music (e.g., “neighbors play their music loudly”).
• Hear voices (e.g., “friends say nasty things about me” ).
The following website can provide you with some helpful tips on ways to respond to someone with AD who have hallucinations. http://www.alz.org/national/documents/topicsheet_hallucinations.pdf

I am sure that it is not easy to see your husband go through hallucinations. However, remembering that it is the disease that is causing it can help you provide the best care for him. Feel free to call our 24-hour helpline if you need clarification or would like to talk to someone about this matter. Thank you for using the Alzheimer's Association Online Community.

Sincerely,

Mini V.

Dear Mini V,

Wow, altho late in finding it - what a refreshing response. A while ago my mom went thru the hallucinations.....starting with bugs....they were going to take over the world but she was the first victim. If I was told to read the front page of the paper one more time I was gonna scream. She had an eye infection at the time so I assumed it could 'feel' as if there were bugs. But then there was a little girl standing on the corner and my mom said she told her she was scared and wanted to go home. Funny....mom didn't get out of bed to even get to a window much less the corner. I told her on my drive over - the police were taking the little girl back to her family....that worked until the next day.
But the biggest hallucination was God himself. He was in her bedroom talking to her - telling her her place with him was ready. I told her she needed to tell God to talk to her later....and boy oh boy - you can NOT tell God to go away. At the time I was convinced she was in her final hours (sorta speak) but that was right at the beginning. She hasn't had many hallucinations during the past year - but with your list, at least now I know it's part of the disease. I mean I knew it was the disease but the bugs I chalked up to eye infection, the little girl I assumed was her looking for her "go home" outlet....now I know these particular 'siteings' are normal......to say the least.
Thanks,
Kathy