Dementia And Anger: Ways To Help Your Loved One Cope

 Those with dementia can sometimes become aggressive as a result of suffering from confusion. For instance, a loved one might want to go home when the house they wish to return to has long ago been sold. The aggression is never intentional, but is instead the result of confusion. If your loved one becomes physical, he or she might not remember who you are or remember that you are not a threat.

Keep The Environment Consistent

Try to keep the surroundings relatively consistent so that your loved one does not become confused. Keep the routine somewhat repetitive so that the day has a sense of familiarity. Also, limit the variety of people who your loved one meets with. If you expose your loved one to unfamiliar faces, especially unfamiliar caregivers, he or she is more likely to feel confused or threatened.

Allow The Episode To Play Out

While creating a calm environment can help you reduce the likelihood that your loved one will be aggressive, if aggression does occur, the best response is to be patient and allow for the scene to play itself out. Do not confront your loved one or try to persuader him or her to stop the aggressive behavior because those with Alzheimer's disease have a difficult time reflecting on their actions. Try to give as much physical space as possible. Do not touch your loved one because this might provoke an aggressive response.

Identify Triggers

Fortunately, there are often triggers for aggression that you can identify. Once you know what typically triggers your loved one, you can take steps to avoid them. For example, if your loved one is often triggered by boredom, facilitating a broader variety of activities can not only reduce boredom and increase the quality of life, but can also reduce the risk of aggression.

Aggression often results from delusions or suspicions. A common problem is for those with dementia to believe that their possessions are being stolen, even if these possessions haven't existed for decades. Finding these long-lost objects and even duplicating them can reduce the chances that your loved one will believe that you are stealing belongings.

Enroll Your Loved One In Assisted Care

Depending on the severity of your loved one's episodes, it may be necessary to have him or her live in an assisted living facility. Then, he or she will be with professionals who can properly medicate your loved one and will know how to respond to violent episodes. Contact a business, such as Haven  Care, for more information.   

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