Agitation is the most common reason why older adults with memory-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are placed in a retirement community. In America, there are more than 5 million people with dementia, and out of these 5 million, at least 80% of them may develop behaviors of Alzheimer’s that can include hallucinations, aggression, or delusions at some point. Here is how you can better cope with such behavioral symptoms if you are taking care of an aging loved one.
Why Behavioral Symptoms Occur
Some experts suggest that all behaviors are modes of communication. Hence, when these behavioral symptoms occur, it may actually be an effort to communicate a certain need when the memory-related condition has robbed the patient of logic and words. Behaviors that incline towards resistance may be a form of response to the confusion, loss of control, or even a feeling of being rushed. A patient may become depressed or is in pain as a result of stress.
Caregiver Work
As a caregiver, you need to always practice patience and remain persistent throughout the entire duration that you are caring for a loved one with dementia. You need to remain vigilant and take notice of any behavioral clues that you can find. You need to first rule out straightforward physical factors that can include injury, pain, infection, constipation, uncomfortable clothing, or feeling too cold or too hot. Most patients exhibit apparent behavioral clues which you can identify and seek the proper treatment.
Agitation and Aggression
When you notice agitation or aggression in the patient, check for any physical discomforts and examine what actually triggered the behavior. Use a soothing tone if you need to ask the patient any questions to determine the root of the problem. You can try changing up the environment to distract the patient from the current agitating situation. You may wish to incorporate a fun activity to help get their mind off of things as a temporary measure.
Wandering
Nearly two-thirds of patients with dementia will wander at some point. You need to be prepared for it so as to prevent them from wandering off too far from home. A patient may wander to relieve boredom, “go to work”, look for their friends, or go to their favorite hangout spot. If you are able to identify the reason behind their wandering, you can easily manage it. Here are some activities you can do:
- Encourage physical activity so they do not get bored staying in bed all the time.
- Involve the patient in daily activities that are within their physical and mental means such as folding towels, drying dishes, or taking out the trash.
- Safety-proof the place of residence but never lock the patient in the home alone.
- Disguise the door to deter the patient’s approach to a door.
- Inform neighbors of potential wandering tendencies.
- Let the patient put on an ID bracelet that is equipped with GPS for easy tracking of their whereabouts.
Suspicion or Paranoia
Let the patient speak without any disruption. Find out what the concern is and help the patient feel reassured by telling them that you will help them figure out what the real situation is. Focus your attention on their thoughts even if they may not seem real to you.
