Link to read first.

Dementia Changes: Visual Impairment | Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Please read before continuing with this blog. After learning about how vision changes then you may better understand why the person you are providing care for becomes frustrated. You have to take this information and apply it. They may not be stubborn when they refuse to walk on a shiny floor. They are actually afraid it is slick and they do not want to fall.

Hallucinations and delusions can cause them to see things that you cannot see. They may be able to describe what they see in fine detail. This can get confusing for you. My mother-in-law called to tell me a friend was there to visit her. She had tapped on the window and motioned that she was going to the front door. My husband texted this person and they were not there. I continued to talk to her as she waited. This friend was a realtor, so I convinced my mother- in- law that she must have taken a call and had to leave to show a home. By the end of our conversation, she had forgotten that a visitor had been outside. If I did not know her hallucinations could be vivid, I would have believed our friend had been there.

I have heard many stories about a person not recognizing themselves in the mirror and believe a stranger is in their home. I can look in the mirror and see myself now and wonder who that old women is looking at me. Thankfully I don’t look this old. I sigh and walk away knowing I am no longer young. It is sad and I miss the younger version, but I am not fearful. I might be if I did see someone this old looking back at me.

One woman accused her husband of having an affair. She was angry and quite upset with him. He tried to convince her of how much he loved her. She took him into the bathroom to prove there was another woman in their home. He had to cover the mirror to bring peace to her.

You have to listen carefully and play detective sometimes to find out what is frustrating them.

Taking steps to assist include:

• Regular Eye Examinations: conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration can be caught before they impact daily life.
• Proper Vision Correction: encourage wearing glasses if they have them
• Environmental Modifications:  provide adequate lighting and safe paths to walk in around the home

Understanding that vision problems in Alzheimer’s can stem from brain processing issues rather than the eyes them-selves is crucial. My mother-in-law had a bouquet of flowers. One day a monkey was hiding in that bouquet. The next day it was a lion in the mix. When the dancing lady appeared, I expressed that my eyes must be getting bad and tossed the flowers because they were beginning to droop. There was no reason to frustrate her over the fact that we couldn’t see what she saw.

Are you seeing a dog wearing glasses? I sure hope so because I am and I hope my brain is understanding this correctly!

Word for Today

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Song for Today

Prayer for Today

Dear Heavenly Father,

I praise you for your grace in my life. On the days my loved one is frustrated with their ability to see and understand their surroundings, allow both of us to feel Jesus in our lives.

Amen