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My husband has started talking about people in our past. He says that they have called and I need to call them. How do I handle him?

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Leon, IA

He also rambled on about guns and someone going to hurt us. He said if I didn’t call someone I might go to jail. I am at a loss on how to answer him without him getting upset saying I don’t believe him.

December 7, 2017
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Answer Summary

Members offered compassionate guidance to a caregiver whose husband was experiencing frightening delusions about needing to call people from... Read more

Members offered compassionate guidance to a caregiver whose husband was experiencing frightening delusions about needing to call people from the past and fears about guns and jail. The overwhelming consensus was to validate his emotions rather than argue with the reality of his experiences, with several members sharing specific strategies like agreeing with him to prevent agitation, redirecting by suggesting it might have been a dream or something on TV, and offering reassurances of safety. Many members also emphasized the importance of medication management, with some sharing that medications like Seroquel helped reduce similar symptoms in their loved ones, while others noted the value of anticipating triggers and having calming responses ready to diffuse fear before it escalates.

A myALZteam Member

Medication management is the key.
Know when there behaviors become agitated, abusive or hostile. But don’t wait until they are already that way, anticipate and use medication beforehand.

December 20, 2017
A myALZteam Member

Improvise. Make it up and just agree with them, then they don't get upset. One of the best pieces of information we have gotten is to improvise. Forget if its true or not, go with their flow. Has worked for my mom more as she will continue to converse about what I am making up instead of getting angry.

December 11, 2017
A myALZteam Member

I had the exact same problems with my husband. He was afraid he was going to harm me, he was going to be picked up by the police. Terrible time. Saw the doctor and he prescribed Serequel. It took about two weeks for the meds to be effective, and it seems to work.

December 18, 2017
A myALZteam Member

Hi my Sweets does the same thing, and what I have found to work for us is that I’ll suggest that she may have been dreaming or it was something she saw on TV and it seems to redirect her to another topic

December 12, 2017
A myALZteam Member

Kathy
So far my husband hasn’t gotten violent. He just gets upset and thinks I don’t believe him.
Hugs to you.

December 10, 2017

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