“Deathbed hallucinations “

[Anonymous]

My dad was discharged from the hospital today. While sleeping he was shouting to his dad and crying. Telling his dad that he hasn’t seen him for so long and that his dad asked him to come with him. His dad dies in 1996.

No heavy meds. Is this a sign of the end? I’m seriously asking

[Anonymous]

You need to google hospital induced delirium. It is really common with elderly people. It was so frustrating it isn't more talked about. My mom acquired it and the neurologist was so dismissive.

[Anonymous]

Is he on morphine ?

[Anonymous]

No morphine

[Anonymous]

While sleeping sounds like a vivid dream. If he was awake it would be a sign of the end.

[Anonymous]

Not necessarily. Was he by chance in an ICU? This is not uncommon for ICU patients.

[Anonymous]

Yup it's a sign. I'm sorry.

[Anonymous]

My mom was a total nut when she was in the hospital and for several days/weeks/months afterward. She got hospital delirium in the worst way. I made a post about it around a year ago because it was so distressing and I had no idea it was a thing.

My mom would laugh and point at the corner of the room and when I would ask what she was laughing at she told me the man in the corner was funny. Apparently he was in the corner, smoking a cigarette and making her laugh. Terrifying and distressing (to me, she thought “he” was hilarious).

Give it a few days. It sounds like just a vivid dream.

[Anonymous]

That sounds normal to me. I had a relative go through the same, calling out to long dead friends and relatives. It's heart breaking.

[Anonymous]

It is a sign of his nearing the end. Does he engage with you? Hospice told me it is a time when they have one foot in the next place. Somehow I found that comforting.

[Anonymous]

If they are scared reassure them that they are safe. "You're safe"

[Anonymous]

Could have been a dream. Whatever is was, I know it can be distressing. How is he when awake?

[Anonymous]

My dad saw a 'kitty'. His beloved cat had died about 3 years prior.

[Anonymous]

My elderly mom has this fairly often, and not just when in the hospital. At first I thought it was medication induced, but she has had episodes at home, too. I am one who believes in this as a spiritual thing (and physical) happening. I think it is when our loved ones are nearing the end and their mind and spirit begins to separate a bit from this world. If that’s not your thing, to view it that way, it could no doubt be attributed to some physical changes such as less oxygen to the brain or who knows what, at this stage. I personally do not believe it is an illness Orr hi g to be afraid of our “solved”, though. It is more of a natural bridging between two worlds.

[Anonymous]

Monitor and see if it gets better. My mom experienced this but lived 3 years after.