Aging in a society that values youth, beauty and thinness can be a difficult prospect. Added to that difficulty can be hallucinations of those who are going through their elder years.

Hallucinations are perceptions of an event that can be visual, auditory or olfactory (smell). They are powerful and convincing. But they do not exist in the real world. They can be a result of a problem deep in the neurological system or as a result of recreational drugs or prescribed medications.

Hallucinations and aging can be a result of several different factors, all of which can be demeaning and disturbing to both the sufferer and their family and friends. In some instances hallucinations can be an outcome of dementia, falling under the category of problems with the neurological system.

This type of dementia will sometimes occur alone or with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Dementia with Lewy-Body is the second most frequent cause in elderly adults. Unfortunately this type of dementia, associated with hallucinations, is also degenerative.

Elderly adults may also suffer from psychotic symptoms that include hallucinations or delusions. If an elderly person suffers from psychosis it is usually related to other disorders such as dementia, delirium or other mood disorders. Some of the psychotic disorders that lend themselves to hallucinations are schizophrenia and delusional disorders.

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