What Causes Difficult Behaviors with Dementia?

Want to know more about the reason behind difficult behaviors from your loved one with dementia and how to handle them? Feeling overwhelmed by your loved one’s aggression and confusion? Interested in memory care facilities in Ann Arbor?

Difficult behaviors caused by dementia, like aggression, present a real challenge to caregivers and family who don’t understand them. That's why it's so important to learn what causes or triggers these behaviors. When you discover the root causes, it becomes easier to address tough behaviors and even avoid them entirely, giving you more quality time with your loved one!

Main causes of difficult behavior in people with dementia. 

Confusion: no matter who you are, confusion is extremely frustrating. Imagine being confused about time, place, people, and objects maybe 50% of the time. You’d feel pretty on-edge and emotional. Because confusion is a major symptom of dementia, it only makes sense that emotional outbursts come with the territory. 

You can help someone with dementia handle their confusion in many ways. Offer to help with an activity if they seem stuck. Answer questions with short and simple responses. Or go through an old photo album that might trigger lucid memories. 

Avoid confusion by steering clear of asking questions, arguing, or trying to rationalize. 

Fear: daily activities can easily provoke fear in a person with dementia as it becomes more difficult to recognize people and places. This fear can cause them to lash out suddenly or refuse to do something. 

You can help someone avoid fear by walking them through an activity with short, simple, statements explaining what’s happening. Be sure to speak calmly and take your time. 

If someone with dementia becomes aggressive or refuses, give them space and don’t try to reason with them. In time, you’ll learn what things are most likely to trigger fear and get better at avoiding them!

Brain deterioration: with dementia, the brain goes through physical and chemical changes. Because the brain controls behavior, we can expect significant changes in behavior, too. As you consider how to interact and respond to your loved one, it helps to always keep this in mind.

Before you reply to a whacky statement, troubling accusation, or frustrating question, remember that you’re talking to someone whose brain has changed and doesn’t operate the way it once did. Take a deep breath and give yourself a minute to think before you say something. In time, you’ll develop your own rhythm and feel more comfortable talking to your loved one with dementia.

 

The difficult behaviors that come with dementia will always present a challenge. But by learning more about the cause of these behaviors, you can adapt and better enjoy your time together. If you want to talk more about difficult behaviors and dementia or have questions about memory care facilities in Ann Arbor, give us a call at Hillside Terrace today. Remember that at Hillside Terrace, our family shares life with yours.