Expert: Paula Damgaard - 12/11/2009

Question
I am 23 yrs old. My father was diagnosed with AD in Dec.'04 at the age of 51, althougth I believe he may have started getting it around '02. My husband and I moved into my childhood home to help care for my Dad about a year ago. Since then he has gotten progressivley worse. He now thinks that there is a "guy" living in his bathroom because he can see his own reflection. He has even been arguing with this "other person". Any ideas of what I may be able to do in order to help him?
~Becca Hanson

Answer
Hi Becca,

This is fairly common occurrence with AD patients.  The easiest fix, if this is only happening in the bathroom, is to cover the mirror.  He doesn't really need it and if it is causing him grief then remove it.

If he is having trouble other ways then I would say take him to see someone who treats AD patients, either psychiatry or a neurologist and they should be able to give you some medicine that would tone those down.  You don't want to give him something unless it is really agitating him.  If he doesn't care too much then you can tell him that you are going to make that guy leave.  cover the mirror and see what happens.  You won't be able to talk him out of what he "sees" so save your breathe.  

I hope this helps and I am sorry you are going through this.  Something else to consider: make sure you get an autopsy of his brain when he dies, this could be really important information for you later on.  All you know now is that you think he has AD.  Can only get 100% diagnosis through autopsy.

Paula