It can be distressing managing the care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia condition, mainly when their behaviors include wandering, hallucinations or aggression. Navigating the changes in personality and behavior is a difficult journey, and it is easy to find yourself frustrated or upset at the situation. A comprehensive approach to Alzheimer’s behavior management is assessing the environment, the stressors, or communication concerns leading to problematic encounters.
Attempt To Understand the Problem
It is natural to feel personally attacked or inconvenienced when your loved one acts aggressively or experiences issues with memory or wandering. Whatever the problem may be, it is important to remember that these situations aren’t deliberately created. The progressive nature of dementia affects multiple areas of cognitive processing, leading to a range of symptoms or changes in a person’s behavior. These are not personal or intentional activities. It is a part of the disease. Give yourself the comfort of believing it isn’t you.
With that being said, some potential influencers or triggers may impact the frequency or duration of behavioral problems. While it would be helpful to know potential triggers before a situation arises, you may find yourself trying to address a problem as it unfolds. During these occasions, do your best to avoid body language, tone of voice, or facial expressions that may be considered antagonistic, defensive, frustrated, or angry. Understand the problem while using positive or reassuring touch, a smile, and eye contact to convey compassion.
Recognize the Changes
As you seek to understand what is going on with your loved one, you will need to recognize when their pattern of behavior seems off or when changes occur in their personality. Some of the more common behavior problems in dementia your loved one may experience include:
• Disinterest in familiar/once-loved things
• Acting depressed
• Pacing or wandering from home
• Short-fuse and outbursts of anger, frustration, or worry
• Hallucinations
• Misinterpreting or being confused about experiences
• Decline in personal health and hygiene
Look for Crucial Signals
When a situation occurs, take a critical eye to the event. Here are five easy ways to quickly assess the situation and what might be causing a particular behavior.
- Put yourself in the opposite role. Imagine what your loved one may be trying to explain or express and empathize with how they may feel.
- Think back to what happened right before the situation or behavior took place. Is there a trigger that you can identify?
- Evaluate the personal care needs of the individual. Is the person thirsty, tired, hungry, or in pain?
- Will a change in the environment help soothe, comfort, or distract your loved one? What is immediately available to help change the way the situation is going?
- Reflect on your behavior or reactions. Did something you say or do make the problem worse, or did it help soothe the individual?
These responses are typically reactive to behavior or event that has taken place. In some cases, creating a soothing environment can help reduce the triggers or elements that tend to escalate into personality or behavioral changes.
Create a Calm and Supportive Environment
As a caregiver, you have the opportunity to create an environment that helps those dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s feel safe and calm. The communication process takes priority during the incident but preparing a nurturing and comforting atmosphere can help with the long-term challenges of personality or behavioral changes.
Reduce Known and Potential Stressors
Too much noise, such as radio, television, other devices, or young children, can quickly create stress. Too many changes in lighting, such as mirrors, reflective windows, or moving shadows or patterns, can also be overwhelming. Keep a soothing, calming environment and avoid abrupt disruptions to your loved one’s routine.
Keep a Routine
Help avoid the confusion over expectations from your loved one by establishing a daily routine. Keep things the same, whether it be mealtime, television programming, certain hygiene routines, or other activities.
Provide Stress-Relief Space
Give your loved ones plenty of opportunities to safely work through their stresses. Create a safe place where they can walk and stay engaged. Keeping busy and getting plenty of exercises can help reduce restlessness and wandering. Ask for help with specific tasks or give them projects that can be easily managed independently.
Address Physical Factors
Keeping your loved one hydrated and well-nourished can help with problems arising from physical discomfort. Check with the physician on possible side effects from medication or evaluate whether or not the individual is in pain. Physical comfort and care needs can also create a safe, secure environment.
Seek Help as Needed
As a caregiver, know that you are not alone in the journey to provide the best care possible to your loved one. When you’ve exhausted your resources and need additional help, Caring Places Management will provide loving, attentive care to your family member.
