How can I help my mom whens she wakes up seeing things that do not exist?

Thanks for your responses. About 2 years ago she had the "sundowner syndrome". She was always closing the shutters and her bedroom curtains, even applying masking tape to areas where the light would come through. Her excuse was that there were people peeking through her windows spying on her. Now, she doesn't do that anymore since I moved in with her. A few years ago she had UTI. Her doctor wanted her to go to a convalescent home to administer the antibiotics. However, before she was admitted my spouse and I got to the CH before the ambulance to check the plce out. The hallways smelled like urine and her room was too small as she was to share the room with two other patients. We got approval from her Insurance and doctor to treat her ourselves before she got there via ambulance, and we brought her home. A private nurse came to show us how to administer the antibiotics and she recovered wonderfully after that. Ever since that time I didn't like the idea of placing her in a CH. As you both mention, I will take her to see her doctor again and have her check out for UTI as her urine smells very strong indeed. I am very thankful for this forum where I learned many things in caring for my mother. Thanks again.

I'm sorry for you both that this is happening. As the others have said, now is the time to contact the doctor, to check for uti or other readily treatable causes.

If this should happen to be a progression of the dementia, the sooner you know that, the better.

Hallucinations are seeing things that are not there. Delusions are believing things that are false. Not that it matters much to you, dealing with it, but it may matter to a doctor trying to figure out what is going on. Did your mother see her children being taken to the patio? Or did she awake with the belief that is what happened? When she came into your room, did she she your father there?

Hallucinations or delusions, people having them believe strongly in their reality. It is generally futile to try to talk them out of it. Since your mother had just awakened, assuring her that she'd had a dream was a good try.

If the vision/belief is not disturbing to the loved one, going along with it may be the best way to keep things calm. There are kittens in your closet? I like kittens, don't you? Let me know if they are still there this afternoon and I'll get some cat food, but they probably have a home to go to.

If the loved one is disturbed, offering to fix the problem (which she finds very real) might help. Mom, I'll go down to the patio right now, bring the children in, and make sure they are tucked in safe and sound. Then I'll come tuck you in, too.

I know this seems crazy. But maybe you can make peace with it if it brings your mother some peace.

Do get Mom checked out medically. Best of luck in dealing with this.

Definately check for UTI. My mom does this when she has one. When she is clear she is as sane as I am..or saner.
Does her urine smell strong? That and the confusion is my first hint..then I call the doc to make it go away. Please make sure, if she has one left untreated she can get septic.

I always start with the simplest things first. Rule out a UTI. Has she had any changes in her meds or in strength? Has she had problems with "sundowner's syndrome" which effects elders as the sun sets. My Mom can get completely irrational in the evening and be back to her old self in the morning. Turning lights on and giving her hot cocoa and an OTC pain reliever works well.
If you rule out minor things, then it is time to see her doc, although they mostly go by anecdotal information from the family.
good luck