why does my great-grandfather hallucinate?

Question

i've recently been told by some of my family that my great-grandfather has been having hallucinations of a man in his closet. He says this man is sueing him for $26,000 dollars, and the story is the same everytime he tells someone. My great-grandfather is in his late 80's and in not-so-great medical condition and has a live-in nurse. Is this hallucination due to old-age, or is it a disease?

Answer 1

Ya know that happens sometimes when they get old.

Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are common in the elderly. The visual hallucination can be benign, simple visual distortions, or elaborate and at times menacing visual hallucinations and delusions.
There are numerous medical and psychiatric causes of hallucinations. Common causes include:

Fever, which can occur with almost any infection, frequently produces hallucinations in children and the elderly
Intoxication or withdrawal from such drugs as marijuana, LSD, cocaine or crack, heroin, and alcohol
Delirium or dementia
Sensory deprivation such as blindness or deafness
Severe medical illness including liver failure, kidney failure, and brain cancer
Some psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia, psychotic depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder

Hallucinations are treated with regard to the underlying disorder. Depending on the disorder, treatment may involve antipsychotic, anticonvulsant, or antidepressant medications; psychotherapy; brain or ear surgery; or therapy for drug dependence. Hallucinations related to normal sleeping and waking are not a cause for concern.

Answer 2

Age will deteriorate ones mind. Disease can speed it up too.
My grandfather thought the Green Beret were working with my Grandmother to get him. He actually hit my Grandmother. His son was a Green Beret. They gave him medicine & he was fine
& lived another 22 years after that till he was 98 yrs old..

Answer 3

My mother who was elderly, was prescribed oxycontin for pain and she developed the symtoms you describe. We got her doctor to take her off of it and she was alright then. I would suggest you check out his medication.

Answer 4

Maybe because he smoked a little too many drugs when he was younger or took acid or something and it never went away. Im tottaly serious, why dont u ask him.

Answer 5

i am a cna and caregiver for the elderly. lots of people will see things that are not there. sometimes its their meds and sadly sometimes when they start seeing things its just that they are too tired to hold onto sanity.not trying to upset you but he may not live much longer