Hallucinations in Older Adults: A Practical Review

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Older adults experience hallucinations in a variety of social, physical, and mental health contexts. Not everyone is open about these experiences, as hallucinations are surrounded with stigma. Hence, hallucinatory experiences in older individuals are often under-recognized. They are also commonly misunderstood by service providers, suggesting that there is significant scope for improvement in the training and practice of professionals working with this age group. The aim of the present article is to increase knowledge about hallucinations in older adults and provide a practical resource for the health and aged-care workforce. Specifically, we provide a concise narrative review and critique of (1) workforce competency and training issues, (2) assessment tools, and (3) current treatments and management guidelines. We conclude with a brief summary including suggestions for service and training providers and future research.</jats:p>

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“…Second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) are used for schizophrenia, treatment-resistant depression, organic delirium or hallucinations, and maintenance therapy of behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia in older adults, e.g., agitation, aggression, and psychotic symptoms [1,2].…”

Light, sleep‐wake rhythm, and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in care home patients: Revisiting the sundowning syndrome

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A systematic review on resting state functional connectivity in patients with neurodegenerative disease and hallucinations

“…However, researchers recommend, on one side, that the physician could ask specific questions about the presence of hallucinations to patients and their caregivers ( Williams et al, 2008 ), and, on the other side, that the physician prepares the patients about the possibility of developing hallucinations as part of this specific neurodegenerative disease ( Fernandez et al, 2008 ). Indeed, the presence of stigmas makes it difficult to accede to the description of hallucinatory experiences by the patients ( Badcock et al, 2020 , Badcock et al, 2017 ). Moreover, the fear of embarrassment, or the fact that the psychosis are not generally recognized as part of the typical set of symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases, could determine the lack of reported hallucinations ( Chaudhuri et al, 2010 ; Goetz et al, 2006 ; Fénelon et al, 2000 ).…”