Many of these are activities to engage their senses. As you try to identify the causes, it’s important to remember that a patient with dementia responds to your facial expression, tone of voice, and body language far more than the words that you choose. Does changing the environment by introducing favorite music, for example, help to comfort the person? Millions rely on HelpGuide for guidance and support during difficult times. One of the major challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another dementia is coping with the troubling behavior and personality changes that often occur. Try giving your loved small spoonfuls and singing funny rhymes. x��YK��6�yϽ��c��DQ��K�G�&(��Y����-��ؖ#��l���p���x�M��eY"�3�|� �}dðs�WW!��k2K��B�Ɉg3x]�%{Ǟ_�'�F,8�z�~������WWO^��ت���4ewW0������}� Cf�4�q9�L These tips can help. tired, getting too much stimulation, scared, anxious or frustrated? alzheimer’s disease & dementia Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behavior Management When a loved one with Alzheimer’s experiences behavior problems such as wandering, aggressiveness, or hallucinations, it can be distressing. What kind of information would you like to read?Use the button below to choose between help, advice and real stories. Limit the patient’s caffeine, sugar, and junk food intake during the day. Some people with dementia imagine things in the dark and become upset. Find someone to talk to about the situation and how you are feeling. For example, if they believe they need to go and collect their children from school, don’t tell them they’re wrong. Look within a one-mile radius of where the patient was before wandering. Will you help keep HelpGuide free for all? Who are the other people involved? Keep a night light on. (Alzheimer’s Association). Look at their body language and try to understand what they might be feeling at that time. If suspicions of theft are focused on a particular object that is frequently mislaid, such as a wallet, try keeping a duplicate item on hand to quickly allay the patient’s fears. Drugs for behavioural and psychological symptoms, We will remember your selection for future visits; you can change your choices at any time, Five things you should know about dementia, Equipment, adaptations and improvements to the home, Using technology to help with everyday life, Take part in Dementia voice opportunities, Make your organisation more dementia friendly, Risk factors and treatments - we discuss evidence, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, Behaviour changes - other useful organisations, Expert Q&A: Looking after yourself as a carer - Friday 25 January, 3-4pm, 462, Replacement care (respite care) in England, Reducing and managing behaviour that challenges, helping them stay in touch with other people, encouraging them to do things they enjoy or find useful, making changes to their environment if necessary. But keep naps short. People with dementia may have trouble using normal utensils, so opt for finger foods or use children’s sipper cups. Look at their body language and try to understand what they might be feeling at that time. Give them space to be angry alone. If they cannot communicate this directly – usually the case in severe dementia – it manifests itself as challenging behaviour. Some dementia patients have difficulty getting or staying asleep because they aren’t responding to day and night transitions. © 1999-2020 HelpGuide.org. Instead, respond to the emotional content of what the person is saying. This may affect how they deal with things now. HELPGUIDEORG INTERNATIONAL is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization (ID #45-4510670). There are things that you and the person with dementia can do to help them to meet their needs and reduce behaviours that challenge. Understanding Alzheimer’s or dementia behavior If they prefer to sleep in a chair or on the couch, make sure they can’t fall out while sleeping. Medical guidelines state they should only be used in the first instance if there is evidence of delusions (believing something that isn’t true) or hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that is not really there) and the person is severely distressed, or if there is a risk of harm to them or those around them. Lock certain rooms or cabinets to protect their contents, and lock up all valuables. By making some simple changes, you can ease your loved one’s stress, better manage their symptoms, and significantly improve their well-being—as well as your own caregiving experience. It, too, is just part of the dementia. However, while they can help in some situations, they often don’t help with what’s causing the behaviour. For example, give the person a bath and some warm milk before bed. Digital devices using GPS technology can track your loved one’s location. Pets can provide a source of positive, nonverbal communication. �Yµ
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��6��p9�Z��d-�����w |�9@�$��9�@� While large groups of strangers may increase stress for an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient, spending time with different people in one-on-one situations can help to increase physical and social activity and relieve stress. Registered office at Alzheimer's Society, 43-44 Crutched Friars, London, EC3N 2AE, Alzheimer's Society is a registered Charity No. Folding laundry, watering plants, or going for a drive in the country can all help to manage stress. (Alzheimer’s Society of the UK), Hands-On Skills for Caregivers – Tip sheet for how to care for a difficult patient. Remember: the person with dementia cannot reflect on unacceptable behavior and cannot learn to control it. A professional (such as a dementia specialist nurse or dementia support worker) can help you follow the steps below. (Land of PureGold Foundation), Home Safety and Alzheimer’s Disease – How to make your home safe for an Alzheimer’s patient. Try not to take it personally. They may also add to the person’s confusion. in dementia are depression, anxiety and psychosis. Did your reaction help to soothe the patient or did it make the behavior worse? Try asking general questions about their distant past. These tips can help. Just be sure that both of you are safe. Two characteristic precursors to wandering are restlessness and disorientation. So, use eye contact, a smile, or reassuring touch to help convey your message and show your compassion. Also consider making changes to the environment. If the GP has checked for any health problems and the person continues to behave in ways that challenge, they may refer the person to a specialist. Is their environment somewhere they are comfortable and stimulated? alzheimer’s disease & dementia. Get help from others during the activities that anger the patient (and can’t be avoided). If the person seems very fatigued during the day, a short rest in the afternoon can lead to a better night’s sleep. Switch to a liquids-only diet when the time is right. If antipsychotics are used, the doctor should monitor how they’re affecting the person and regularly review whether they should continue taking them. Learn more. Don’t take the aggressiveness personally. The playful interaction and gentle touch from a well-trained, docile animal can help soothe your loved one and decrease aggressive behavior. This might be a dementia support worker, friend or family member. Investigate familiar places, such as former residences or favorite spots. Chewing and swallowing difficulties can develop as Alzheimer’s progresses. In case a police search becomes necessary, have a recent photo of your loved one and some unwashed clothing to help search-and-rescue dogs. Modify the environment to reduce potential stressors that can create agitation and disorientation. Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behavior Management When a loved one with Alzheimer’s experiences behavior problems such as wandering, aggressiveness, or hallucinations, it can be distressing. Notify neighbors and local police about your loved one’s tendency to wander, and circulate your phone number. These may include aromatherapy and massage, light therapy, art (such as colouring or crafts), therapy with animals such as dogs, or doll therapy. Their sense of reality may be very different from yours and they are responding to their own needs. You need your rest, too. Many carers find they’re able to manage situations where the person’s behaviour changes, and that the behaviours stop over time. Aggressiveness, hallucinations, wandering, or eating or sleeping difficulties can be upsetting and make your role as caregiver even more difficult.