What would cause an elderly woman to have morbid hallucinations?

For the last four or five months, my 92 year old grandmother has been having morbid hallucinations. She has been seeing things like her veins rising out of her skin, a hump developing on her daughter's back, blood seeping from her legs, et cetera. She swears she can't tell it's real or hallucinated. Oddly enough, in spite of her age, she's incredibly sharp (though she exhibits some senility, as well as bad memory).

A bit about her -- she has lost several people close to her during the past 7 years (including 2 children and her husband). She has emphysema and is prone to falls (she refuses help or use of a cane or walker). She also has hypothyroidism. She's also superstitious yet very religious.
And, though she has a great heart, she's rather bitter and seems preoccupied with mortality and sickness.

I only ask here because she refuses help and won't see any doctors. She thinks the end is coming. I have some ideas but welcome any others.

Thanks.

I'm not a doctor but wonder if she has symptoms of some type of mental illness or even dementia. If she is a danger to herself or others, one may be able to get her committed to a hospital for care. Not sure if thyroid problems can make symptoms like that occur, but she really sounds as though she needs medical care. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers.

Alzheimer's *sp* causes that for sure. Also like you said senility and some psychosis. If she won't get checked out I don't know what to tell you really, but theres somethings to check out

Hypothyroidism oftentimes causes hallucinations (do a google search to find out more). Another likely cause is Parkinson's. I worked with Hospice for a while, and had a elderly women patient who saw bugs crawling on the walls, heard dogs barking, and thought someone was painting words on the wall in red paint. (another google search will give you more on Parkinson's and hallucinations)

I've taken care of people with alzheimers and dementia and those both can cause hallucinations, but I'd be more worried that her medication may be causing it.. take her to the doctor, don't let her tell you no.. you know whats best. I just hope that shes not living on her own.. if she refuses to use a cane which she obviously needs, maybe she needs home health care or something..