|
|
| |
Basic InformationMore InformationLatest NewsAlzheimer's May Strike Women and Men in Different WaysHistory of Mental Illness Tied to Earlier Onset of Alzheimer's DiseaseAHA News: Black, Hispanic Families Hit Hardest by DementiaWhy Some 'Super Ager' Folks Keep Their Minds Dementia-FreeDementia Seen in Younger Adults Shows Even More Brain Damage Than Alzheimer'sToo Little Sleep Could Raise Your Dementia RiskSpecialist Care for Alzheimer's Is Tough to Find for Poorer, Rural AmericansTony Bennett's Struggle With Alzheimer's RevealedFluid-Filled Spaces in the Brain Linked to Worsening MemoryCOVID Vaccine Advised for Alzheimer's Patients, Their CaregiversAphasia Affects Brain Similar to Alzheimer's, But Without Memory LossCaregivers Feeling the Strain This Tough Holiday SeasonYears Before Diagnosis, People With Alzheimer's Lose Financial AcumenCould Dirty Air Help Speed Alzheimer's?Strong Sleeping Pills Tied to Falls, Fractures in Dementia PatientsAnxiety Might Speed Alzheimer's: StudyPre-Op 'Brain Games' Might Prevent Post-Op DeliriumDoes Hard Work Help Preserve the Brain?Staying Active as You Age Not a Guarantee Against DementiaSmog Tied to Raised Risk for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's DiseasePoor Brain Blood Flow Might Spur 'Tangles' of Alzheimer'sIs Apathy an Early Sign of Dementia?A-Fib Treatment Reduces Patients' Dementia RiskFall Risk Rises Even in Alzheimer's Early StagesPTSD May Be Tied to Greater Dementia RiskNew Research Links Another Gene to Alzheimer's RiskIs Rural Appalachia a Hotspot for Alzheimer's?Why Are Dementia Patients Getting Risky Psychiatric Drugs?Get Dizzy When Standing Up? It Could Be Risk Factor for DementiaCan Seniors Handle Results of Alzheimer's Risk Tests?More Education May Slow Start of Early-Onset Alzheimer'sUnder 50 and Overweight? Your Odds for Dementia Later May Rise9/11 First Responders Have Higher Odds for Alzheimer's: StudyCould the Flu Shot Lower Your Risk for Alzheimer's?Will Your Brain Stay Sharp Into Your 90s? Certain Factors Are KeyMany Americans With Dementia Live in Homes With GunsBrain's Iron Stores May Be Key to Alzheimer'sHormones May Explain Greater Prevalence of Alzheimer's in WomenMiddle-Age Obesity Linked to Higher Odds for DementiaCould Crohn's, Colitis Raise Dementia Risk?5 Healthy Steps to Lower Your Odds for Alzheimer'sCOVID-19 Brings New Challenges to Alzheimer's CaregivingAlzheimer's Gene Linked to Severe COVID-19 RiskHealthier Heart, Better Brain in Old AgeAHA News: Hearing Loss and the Connection to Alzheimer's Disease, DementiaBrain Plaques Signal Alzheimer's Even Before Other Symptoms Emerge: StudyCertain Gene Might Help Shield At-Risk People From Alzheimer'sHow to Connect With Nursing Home Patients in QuarantineHow to Ease Loved Ones With Alzheimer's Through the PandemicCaring for Dementia Patient During Pandemic? Try These Stress-Busting Tips Questions and AnswersVideosLinksBook Reviews |
| |
Tips for Dealing with Specific Dementia Problematic BehaviorsRudolph C. Hatfield, PhD., edited by Kathryn Patricelli, MAThere are several general rules that will be repeated here for caregivers of someone with dementia that has to deal with behaviors that may be a problem. The approach for any problematic behavior should be to:
- Check your own motivation for wanting to change the behavior. Is the person just simply annoying you? Do you need a break from them? Are you beginning to become resentful?
- Consult with medical personnel to help to determine the cause of the behavior. Many times, a sudden change in behavior in a person with dementia is a result of a medical issue.
- Very often, a simple adjustment to the person's environment can make a big difference.
Agitation
People with dementia become agitated for many reasons that can often easily be adjusted. However, agitation may also be a feature of the progressive nature of the disorder or some new medical issue and may require medical assistance. Some of the situations that may increase agitation are:
- Any change of environment or routine that becomes confusing for the person. This can include any change such as moving to a new room/dwelling, simply leaving one's environment to go to the doctor's office, getting a new caregiver, a new schedule, a new medication, etc.
- Fatigue or anxiety that can occur because of confusion, physical needs not being met, or other cognitive issues.
- Misperceived threats.
- Brain damage due to the course of the disorder.
To reduce agitation (and anxiety):
- Try and create a calm environment by removing the person to a quieter place, adding more familiar features to the environment, or the use of some security object that the individual recognizes.
- Simplify tasks for the person.
- Eliminate distractions such as turning off TVs and radios, vacuum cleaners, etc.
- Check to see if the person needs to use the bathroom, if they are too hot or too cold, if they are hungry, or if they have some type of other irritation.
- Provide distractions such as removing the person from the environment, taking them on a walk, playing cards with them, putting on dance music with them and dancing, etc.
- If anxiety and agitation persist consult with medical personnel.
Aggressive Behaviors
For some people with dementia increasing signs of aggression may be associated with the worsening of their disease. Always check your own motivation when dealing with perceived aggressive behaviors (either verbal or physical). Remember that people with dementia who act aggressively are not purposely doing so to annoy you. A sudden change in behavior that represents aggressive actions may be caused by some acute factor such as a urinary tract infection or the side effects of new medications. Check all options such as:
- Is the person uncomfortable? There are many reasons that can produce discomfort in people with cognitive impairment. Remember that people with dementia often cannot control their own situation. Is the person confused? Is the person in pain? Is the person hungry? Does the person need to use the bathroom, or have they soiled themselves? Is the environment distracting? Is there a chance that a new medication or multiple medications are leading to side effects that contribute to the problem? Etc.
- Is the environment leading to aggression? Environmental factors that can lead to aggressive behaviors include overstimulation, feeling that one is in an unfamiliar environment, a new routine, etc.
- Consider the time of day when aggressive behaviors occur: Aggressive behaviors happening in the evening may suggest issues with delirium.
- Does the person understand what is expected of them? Poor communication, being overwhelmed with questions or demands, etc. can lead to aggression.
- Diet: Caffeine and other stimulants may increase aggressive behaviors. Check for the over use of coffee, tea, sugar, etc.
- Are you the cause? Is the person reacting to your resentment or behavior? Check and see if your behavior or attitude is making the person defensive, confused, or resulting in some other reaction.
Often simply slowing things down, changing the environment, removing distractions, and communicating properly can eliminate many aggressive behaviors. However, aggression from people with dementia is often handled with medical interventions such as medications.
|