How to Cope with Dementia-Related Behavioral Disturbances?

By Elizabeth Pitcorn

Dementia is much more than forgetting! Behavioral changes are one of the most difficult aspects to cope with. It could be agitation, aggression, wandering, or emotional outbursts that appear to an individual without any warning. Such symptoms are challenging to both the caregivers and the individual living with dementia.

The good news is that these behaviors usually have underlying causes. However, with an appropriate approach, they can be mitigated or even averted. One effective way to do this is to adjust routines, incorporate calming techniques, as well as create safer environments.

In this blog, we’ll discuss how to manage dementia-related behavioral disturbance patiently, compassionately, and intelligently in an individual. Let's dive in to know more in detail.

Common Behavioral Disturbances in Dementia

Let's begin with the common behavioral changes in dementia that you may see in older adults. But before jumping into the changes, there's something you should know.

Recognizing dementia with behavioral disturbance will help you provide the best support to an individual with dementia.

• Unnecessary restlessness, sometimes without a valid reason

• Physical violence, like yelling or hitting

• Walking out or attempting to exit safe zones

• Sticky words or movements

• Irritability & mood swings

• Sleep disorders like insomnia, night walking

• Refusing care or being unwilling to cooperate

Behavioral Triggers in Dementia

As mentioned above, agitation, aggression, and wandering are all behavioral disturbances. Now, it's time to understand these triggers so that you can provide comfort and peace of mind to individuals suffering from dementia behavioral changes.

Environmental Triggers

These factors have a big impact on how people behave. The brain's ability to receive information and adjust to its environment is diminished in this state. Patients become more sensitive to environmental conditions. Some common environmental triggers are:

• Unfamiliar settings

• Overstimulation

• Extreme temperatures

• Lighting issues

Physiological Triggers

Behavioral changes may result from physical discomfort or unfulfilled physiological requirements. Many dementia patients experience agitation or hatred as a result of their inability to express their pain or distress. Some common physiological triggers are:

• Medication effects

• Pain or illness

• Fatigue

• Hunger or dehydration

Social Triggers

Social contacts, or lack of them, can influence behavior to a great extent. Loneliness and depression can be caused by isolation, and Alzheimer patients cannot cope with a certain number of social experiences. Some common social triggers are:

• Overcrowding

• Negative interactions

• Isolation

• Unfamiliar people

Task-Related Triggers

Simple tasks might become difficult or overwhelming for those living with dementia. What once felt easy, like getting dressed, eating, or following directions, may now cause stress or frustration. This can lead to anger, withdrawal, or refusal to participate. Thus, some common task-related triggers are:

• Complex instructions

• Unfamiliar activities

• Time pressure

• Perceived failure

Helpful Coping Strategies for Caregivers to Manage Behavioural Disturbances

The right strategies can make the day-to-day experience of a caregiver and their loved one much better. Take a look at some of the coping strategies you can use in your loved one's life:

• Stay Calm & Patient: Keeping a calm tone and a patient attitude is beneficial for everyone. This will result in reducing anxiety in the person with dementia.

• Use Clear and Simple Communication: For this, you should use short sentences and speak slowly. However, refrain from correcting or disputing with them.

• Maintain Consistent Routines: A regular daily schedule provides comfort and reduces confusion.

• Employ Redirection and Distraction: When you observe the change in their behavior, try to suggest an alternate activity or gently shift the topic.

• Take Care of Yourself: Taking care of a patient who has dementia is difficult for caregivers. Therefore, you must avoid stress as a caregiver, as it may impair your ability to assist. Rest, seek advice from others, and join support groups like assisted living and memory care.

• Provide Meaningful Activities: Some suitable hobbies or exercises can help them curb restlessness.

• Create a Safe, Quiet Environment: Minimize the effects of stressors by decreasing significant lights, noise, and loud sounds.

When to Seek Professional Help?

If dementia with behavioral disturbance becomes harmful to the person or those around them, it's time to involve a healthcare professional. Several instances where your need experts help:

• Behavior changes occurring suddenly and that are unusual or alarming can indicate that there is a medical issue.

• Bodily injury or threats to them or other people should also never be disregarded.

• The individual may be in danger of straying and being lost easily and may need close monitoring.

• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that have not been there) can be worrisome and may require management.

• The problem of not eating, not taking medicine, or not taking care of hygiene may cause serious health problems.

• In case caregiving is too much or too exhausting in an emotional sense, it is alright to seek help.

• A healthcare service professional may assist in determining the problem that necessitates the behaviors and generally proposes safe but effective methods of dealing with the behaviors.

Conclusion

Taking care of a dementia patient is not an easy task that can be performed easily, especially in cases of dementia with behavioral disturbance. A person with dementia is not easy to take care of, particularly when someone is behaving very difficult. However, it could be managed over time and through the relevant techniques.

Understanding why such drives occur enables you to react with more understanding and caring. Such small things like sticking to the routine, talking quietly, and creating a calm atmosphere will suffice.

Remember to seek and look out after yourself. You can also raise the living quality of your loved one with support and understanding.

MBT pg