What You Should Know About Alzheimer's Behavior
Is someone close to you suffering from Alzheimer’s? While some people living with dementia remain calm and pleasant, others sometimes lash out with anger and aggression.
As a loved one caring for someone with dementia, it can be upsetting to be attacked for seemingly no reason. If you feel surprised, hurt, annoyed, or even angry — don’t worry, these feelings are all normal.
However, to manage the situation the best you can, it’s a good idea to learn of the triggers of the behavior that some people with Alzheimer's may display and how to cope with it. Keep reading for our guide on what you should know about Alzheimer’s behavior.
Understanding the Triggers
Dementia and anger outbursts can occur without warning, and sometimes there may not be a clear or obvious cause. However, in many situations, there are certain triggers you can observe before or during a flare-up.
Common triggers include discomfort from a troubled sleep, side effects from medication, or a pain that the patient is unable to describe. Other triggers include the surrounding environment. For example, if there are too many loud noises, too many people around, or lots of clutter.
Those suffering from Alzheimer’s may also become upset or agitated if they’re being asked too many questions at once, are failing to understand complicated instructions, or are feeling stress and negativity from caregivers.
Tips for Easing Alzheimer's Behavior
Once you understand the triggers for angry outbursts from those with Alzheimer's, you can try your best to prevent it with these tips.
Firstly, don’t ask too many questions at once, offer confusing instructions, or criticize. If you do the patient may feel overwhelmed and upset and may decide to lash out.
You can also lessen loud noise, activity, and clutter around him or her. Try to avoid taking the patient to busy public areas that may trigger an outburst. And if the patient does become upset, don’t argue with him or her as this can only aggravate the problem.
It’s important to understand that those suffering from Alzheimer's rage, view and understand reality different than you do. Rather than criticize them and tell them they’re wrong, sit and listen. Ask questions about what they’re saying and focus on the past.
As Alzheimer’s affects short term memory, patients often find it easier to talk about their past, rather than short term memories such as what they had for breakfast in the morning. Use memory cues to jog their memory. As the disease worsens, the best thing you can do is to be understanding and patient. For the person with Alzheimer's, simple tasks such as getting dressed or brushing teeth become more difficult, and they’ll need more and more assistance and patience.
Looking After Yourself
Taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s is difficult, especially if they’re angry or hurtful towards you. Remember that’s it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or upset.
Looking after yourself is just as important as looking after the person you care for, so if you’re struggling reach out to someone close or a doctor to discuss how you’re feeling. After all, once you take good care of yourself, you take better care of others.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember you don’t have to look after your loved one by yourself. Check out our services for a helping hand.
