As a daughter caring for your mother with dementia, you may find yourself asking these heartbreaking questions. It can be deeply unsettling to see your mom cry often or describe things she sees that aren’t real. Understanding the root causes of these behaviors and learning how to respond can bring you and your mom a sense of peace and connection.
Mixed Dementia: Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia
When someone has mixed dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, they may experience a range of emotional and psychological symptoms, including frequent crying and hallucinations.
In dementia, changes in the brain—such as the presence of Lewy bodies in the amygdala (the fear center of the brain)—can amplify feelings of sadness, fear, and anxiety. This can explain why your mom may seem scared or sad without any apparent reason. Hallucinations are also common in Lewy body dementia and can be vivid and detailed. These hallucinations can sometimes lead to distress, especially if they feel threatening or confusing.
The Role of Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)
Another possible cause of frequent crying is pseudobulbar affect (PBA). This condition is characterized by sudden, uncontrollable episodes of crying or laughing that don’t match the person’s actual emotional state. For instance, your mom might burst into tears during a happy moment or laugh uncontrollably in a situation that isn’t funny. These episodes can last for several minutes and are often mistaken for depression. However, unlike depression, PBA episodes are brief, and your mom’s mood between episodes is typically stable.
How In-Home Caregivers Can Help
Having an in-home caregiver can make a world of difference for families, spouses, and individuals living with dementia. Caregivers are trained to provide not only physical assistance but also emotional support and education.
Here’s how they can help:
- Emotional Support for the Loved One:
- Caregivers are skilled in calming techniques to reassure your mom during episodes of crying or hallucinations.
- They provide companionship, reducing feelings of isolation and fear.
- A caregiver can help create a consistent daily routine, which is comforting for individuals with dementia.
- Support for Families and Spouses:
- Caregivers educate families about the disease, helping you understand the symptoms and behaviors you’re witnessing.
- They offer tips on how to respond compassionately to emotional outbursts and hallucinations.
- By taking on some caregiving tasks, they give family members much-needed respite, reducing caregiver burnout.
- Practical Assistance:
- Caregivers can identify potential triggers for emotional distress or hallucinations and adjust the environment accordingly (e.g., removing mirrors or managing overstimulation).
- They monitor for signs of physical discomfort or illness that could be exacerbating symptoms, such as UTIs or vision impairments, and communicate concerns to healthcare providers.
- Caregivers help manage daily tasks like meal preparation, bathing, and medication reminders, ensuring your mom’s needs are met consistently.
How to Respond to Crying Episodes
- Educate Yourself: Understand that these emotional outbursts are part of the disease. Stop chasing a cure if none exists, and focus on what matters most—your mom’s comfort and well-being.
- Normalize the Behavior: Accept that this is a symptom of her diagnosis and not something she can control. Knowing this can help reduce frustration and foster empathy.
- Reassure and Comfort: Speak gently to your mom, offering physical comfort like a hug or holding her hand. Let her know she is safe and loved.
- Rule Out Medical Causes: Frequent crying or emotional outbursts can sometimes be triggered by physical discomfort or illness, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Make sure her health is regularly checked.
- Lean on Caregiver Expertise: In-home caregivers can guide families in recognizing triggers and applying techniques to soothe your mom effectively during emotional episodes.
Understanding and Managing Hallucinations
Hallucinations in Lewy body dementia often involve seeing people, animals, or objects that aren’t there. While not all hallucinations are distressing, some can frighten your mom or make her cry. Here’s what you can do:
- Assess the Situation:
- Are the hallucinations scaring her or causing distress?
- Could they be linked to overstimulation, poor lighting, or sensory impairments (e.g., vision or hearing loss)?
- Adjust the Environment:
- Remove mirrors if your mom sees “strangers” in reflections.
- Check her vision and hearing—ensure she has her glasses or hearing aids if needed.
- Reduce overstimulation by creating a calm and quiet space.
- Rule Out Medical Triggers:
- Hallucinations can sometimes be caused or worsened by infections, dehydration, or medication side effects. Addressing these can help reduce the frequency of hallucinations.
- Validate and Redirect:
- Don’t argue or tell her she’s wrong. Instead, acknowledge her feelings: “I see that you’re upset. I’m here with you.”
- If the hallucination isn’t harmful, gently go along with it until you can redirect her attention to something else.
- Reassure and Calm:
- Let your mom know she is safe. Use a soothing tone and offer comforting gestures. Your approach should come from the heart, focusing on her emotional needs rather than trying to impose logic.
- Partner with In-Home Caregivers:
- Caregivers are trained to recognize and respond to hallucinations in a way that minimizes distress.
- They can provide suggestions to family members on how to redirect attention or adjust the environment to reduce hallucinations.
The Bigger Picture: Focus on What Matters Most
When caring for someone with mixed dementia, it’s essential to shift your focus from seeking solutions to providing meaningful moments. Whether it’s a calming touch, a reassuring word, or simply sitting quietly together, these small acts of love can make a big difference.
Your in-home care team plays a critical role in this journey. They not only help manage day-to-day challenges but also support families in understanding and accepting and normalize the changes brought by dementia. With the right help and education, you can create a supportive and loving environment for your mom in her forever home, while finding balance and relief for yourself.
Call our Certified Dementia Practitioners at Home Care Partners today to Bring Memory Care Home. Our Care Consults are free 402-780-1211
Home Care Partners is a top provider of in-home memory care services in Lincoln, NE and Lancaster County. We Bring Assisted Living Home.
Our Caregiving team provides personal one-on-one attention for your loved one. When you are ready to begin your care journey, we are the experts that will answer your questions and help you implement a plan.
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- Mom is having “Memory Problems,” what can you do? - December 12, 2024
