Dementia presents numerous difficulties, both for individuals grappling with it and for those in close proximity to them. Observing and dealing with common behaviors arising from conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, or frontotemporal dementia can be challenging.
Providing care for a person with dementia can sometimes be frustrating, perplexing, or distressing. Gaining an understanding of the reasons behind these behaviors and learning effective approaches to handle various situations can help ease the journey ahead.
Which behaviors are frequently observed in individuals with dementia?
People with dementia often exhibit a combination of peculiar behaviors, including:
- Making peculiar statements or using incorrect words for certain objects.
- Failing to recognize the need for personal hygiene or forgetting how to maintain cleanliness.
- Repeating themselves or asking the same question repeatedly.
- Misplacing objects or taking items belonging to others.
- Not recognizing familiar individuals or remembering their own identity.
- Holding onto the belief that a deceased loved one is still alive.
- Accumulating objects, such as mail or even trash.
- Demonstrating paranoid behavior.
- Becoming easily confused or agitated.
- Leaving the house without informing others and getting lost.
Why do these behaviors occur?
Imagine a wildfire changing course within the brain of your loved one with dementia, damaging or destroying brain cells (neurons) and neural networks that regulate behavior.
The underlying causes of dementia determine the factors driving this damage. For instance, while the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease remains unknown, it is strongly associated with proteins that accumulate and impair brain cells. Vascular dementia occurs when certain brain regions experience recurring insufficient blood flow, leading to the death of neurons.
As dementia progresses, the person loses brain cells associated with memory, planning, judgment, and mood regulation. Your filters are gradually lost.
Six strategies for managing dementia-related behaviors
Dealing with distressing or perplexing behaviors related to dementia may require an approach similar to that used with children. Due to cognitive decline, older adults with dementia may resemble children. However, people are generally more patient with children. Consider employing a similar approach with older adults.
Avoid highlighting inaccurate or strange statements. It can make individuals with dementia feel foolish or diminished. Although they may not remember the details, the emotions remain, causing them to feel isolated and withdraw. Instead, provide reassurance and go along with what they’re saying. Keep the atmosphere light.
Don’t attempt to reason with the person. Dementia has affected their comprehension, and trying to reason can be frustrating for both of you.
Use distraction. This technique is helpful when the person makes unreasonable requests or becomes moderately agitated. Acknowledge their feelings and change the activity. You could say, ‘I see that you’re upset. Let’s go over here for a moment.’ Engage in an activity that appeals to their senses and helps them relax, such as sitting outside together, listening to music, folding socks, or enjoying a piece of fruit.
Ensure unsafe items are out of sight. Store away or lock up belongings that the individual should not have access to, particularly potentially hazardous items like car keys or cleaning fluids. Consider using cabinet locks.
Supervise hygiene routines. The person with dementia may require reminders to bathe or have their clothes laid out for the day. You may need to assist with bathing, shaving, toothbrushing, or dressing.
Spend quality time together. You don’t have to convince your loved one of your identity or engage in deep conversations. Simply listen to music together or participate in simple activities. This can help prevent further withdrawal.
Safety is paramount when dealing with dementia
Sometimes, simple strategies may not suffice when caring for a loved one with dementia.
For example, if the person frequently attempts to leave home, you may need to install child-proof covers on doorknobs, add extra door locks or a security system to your home, or consider providing them with a GPS tracker bracelet.
If the person frequently experiences distress or even exhibits violent behavior, it is essential to consult a doctor. It is possible that a new medical problem, such as a urinary tract infection, is causing agitation. If the agitated behavior is not due to a new health problem and is predictable and severe, we might prescribe medication to help regulate mood, such as an antidepressant or antipsychotic for extreme agitation or hostility.
Seek the help and support you need as dementia progresses
Nobody expects you to be an expert in interacting with someone with dementia. It’s a learning process for all of us, and it continues even after you gain some understanding of the situation. The process keeps changing. What works today may not work next week or the week after for your loved one. So keep trying different strategies.
Additionally, seek support for yourself, such as participating in group therapy sessions for caregivers and their families. You can also find valuable information from organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association or the Family Caregiver Alliance.