Understanding the Causes and Finding Ways to Cope
Some people living withAlzheimer’s diseaseor other types ofdementiaremain easy-going.
Others develop intense feelings of anger and aggression.
It’s important to understand what causes anger in dementia.
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This will help you learn how to respond and cope in these situations.
This article looks at some of the reasons for anger and aggression in people with dementia.
It also offers some coping tips for caregivers.
The person may raise their voice, scowl, or swing their arm at empty space.
Other times, you may not see it coming.
This “no-warning” anger can be hard to cope with because it is unpredictable.
Anger and aggression are most likely to develop in themiddle stages of dementia.
At the same time, there may be otherchallenging behaviorslike wandering, hoarding, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
6 Common Causes of Aggression
There are many reasons why people with dementia may become angry.
Some are related to the disease itself.
Others have to do with the emotional toll of dementia.
Loss of Recognition
People with dementia may not recognize their loved ones.
This can cause fear, anxiety, and aggression.
For example, a wife with dementia may take a stab at attack her husband.
Paranoia, Delusion, and Hallucinations
People with dementia may also experience distortions of reality.
For example, a person may have:
Not everyone with dementia has these symptoms.
When they do, though, it can be difficult to handle.
People withlewy body dementiaare more prone to having these symptoms.
They can occur in all types of dementia, though.
People withfrontotemporal dementiamay become physically aggressive much sooner than people with Alzheimer’s.
This is because people with Alzheimer’s have damage nearer to the back of the brain.
In people without dementia, poor nutrition can affect mood, energy, and cognitive function.
In people with dementia, it can fuel sudden outbursts and aggressive impulses.
It will also help to keep the dining space calm.
Misunderstandings
Dementia affects communication.
Someone with dementia may have trouble understanding what their caregiver is saying or doing.
The person you are caring for may not understand why you’re trying to help.
They may feel like you’re just bossing them around.
This can lead to conflict.
Caregiver Overload
As a caregiver, it’s natural to have strong feelings from time to time.
You may feel frustrated, angry, or impatient.
Sometimes they may reflect those feelings back to you.
A person with dementia may have catastrophic reactions.
This is a sudden and disproportionate reaction to a seemingly normal situation.
These reactions are often triggered by care.
They can lead to anger and aggression.
Monitoring yourself forcaregiver burnoutand overload is important.
This will help improve your own quality of life and also your loved one’s.
Which one you choose will depend on the situation.
Give Space
Give the person a little space.
Their resistance may be because they feel their personal space has been invaded and they don’t know why.
Don’t Argue
Arguing with someone who was dementia almost never works.
This is true even if you think you have a clear point.
If you argue, you may just make the person angrier.
You won’t “win,” and the situation may become worse.
see to it the person is safe to leave alone and give them some time.
You may find that trying the same task 20 minutes later will produce a completely different result.
Recap
It can help to give the person you’re caring for some time and space.
Avoid arguing with them and practice patience.
Use Distraction
Music can be a good distraction.
Try playing some of your loved one’s favorite songs.
It may help lighten the mood and get the person in the right frame of mind to accept help.
you might also try other distractions, like favorite TV shows or sports moments.
One-on-One Interactions
Some people with dementia feel overwhelmed or threatened by multiple caregivers.
It may help to limit interactions to one person at a time.
More than one person can raise anxiety and trigger aggression.
Change Caregivers
People with dementia often benefit fromroutines.
They may prefer a consistent caregiver.
Sometimes, though, a different face can bring a different result.
If you’re working in a care home and there are other staff present, try switching caregivers.
Try not to overwhelm the person with too many caregivers at once.
If you are working in a care home, it may even help to switch caregivers.
Find the Cause
Look for a cause.
Environment andphysical factorscan affect behavior.
Pain, fatigue, hunger, or too much stimulation can trigger anger and aggression.
Look for patterns in behavior.
For example, the person may tend to getangry in the evening.
Think about what happened before the outburst.
A lot of visitors?
Certain events or activities that triggered the reaction?
The more triggers it’s possible for you to identify, the easier it will be to avoid them.
If this happens, it’s time to call a doctor.
Medicationshould never be the first choice in dealing with challenging behaviors.
There are times, though, when it may be needed.
A doctor can evaluate this.
Summary
People with dementia sometimes become angry and aggressive.
As a caregiver, you’ll find it helpful to understand why this happens.
People with dementia may not recognize their loved ones.
They may also have feelings of paranoia or hallucinations.
These things can contribute to aggressive behavior.
Other factors like poor food intake, problems with communication, and caregiver overload can also play a role.
There are a few strategies that can help you cope with these situations.
Give the person space and time, don’t argue, and venture to find distractions.
Don’t overload the person with too many caregivers at once.
It may also help to change caregivers.
It’s important to determine the cause of an angry outburst.
In some cases, you may need to ask a doctor for help.
If you understand why it might be happening, you may find it easier to deal with.
Remember that your loved one is feeling anxious and distressed during this time.
Patience and understanding will help you manage and respond to these challenging situations.
Call 911 if you feel that you or someone else is in danger.
have a go at stay calm and give them space to calm down as well.
you could also get help by calling the Alzheimer’s Association Helpline at 800-272-3900.
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