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.

How to Approach Difficult Behaviors with Dementia

Are you having a hard time handling difficult behaviors in your loved one with dementia? Don’t think your approach to difficult behaviors so far has been helpful? Feeling lost in the search for memory care facilities in Ann Arbor? 

Even if you’re not caring for someone full-time, coming face to face with some of the most difficult behaviors in people with dementia is a real challenge. Seeing these behaviors can be frightening, and our get reactions can make the situation even worse. But you don’t have to give up on spending time with your loved one. Just a few tips can help you feel more confident and improve the quality of the time you spend with your loved one. 

6 Tips for Approaching Difficult Behaviors

1. Keep explanations simple: it’s much easier for someone with dementia to follow along and understand a short explanation than a thorough one. Even if you feel like you’re leaving out important details, stay short. This can be useful when responding to difficult questions or demands like “I want to go home!”
2. Don’t engage in arguments: sound judgment will take a hit at some point in the progression of dementia. But it’s best not to argue with someone who is confused or is insisting on something that seems ridiculous to you. Instead, change the topic of discussion or suggest an activity. 
3. Give space: sometimes it’s best just to remove yourself, especially in the face of aggression. As long as your loved one will be safe, give space if they become aggressive. Don’t respond with attempts to restrain or keep pushing the issue. 
4. Understand triggers: take note of what happened before a difficult a behavior, even consider keeping a log. If you notice a pattern, you can do better to avoid triggers and reduce problem behaviors. 
5. Prioritize safety: remind yourself that your safety and your loved one’s safety are the priority. That means if your dad wants to go out to lunch wearing a t-shirt, orange tie, rain boots, and fedora, you’re probably better off letting it go because it won’t affect anyone’s safety. 
6. Ask for help: always remember that you can and should ask for help when you need it. You can contact the experts at memory care facilities in Ann Arbor like Hillside Terrace with questions or to look for a new solution for your loved one’s living arrangement. 

Dementia is hard on everyone. But now that you’re better equipped to handle difficult behaviors, you can focus on enjoying your time with your loved one rather than being worried about an outburst or tough question. 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.