Memory loss is the most common dementia symptom. However, behavioral challenges are just as typical. The angry outbursts and physical dangers associated with combative behavior can be stressful for family caregivers and difficult for them to handle. Learn how you should approach these situations to calm your senior loved one and enhance the atmosphere within the home.
Schedule Activities Accordingly
Combative behavior typically takes place at specific times when seniors aren’t at their best. Avoid scheduling activities during these times to prevent the confusion and agitation that leads to aggressive behavior.
Make sure to have calming procedures in place. For instance, if your loved one becomes irate when bathing, find objects to calm him or her down or consider playing soothing music during the routine to relax his or her mind and alleviate negative emotions.
Validate Your Loved One’s Feelings
Seniors with dementia have likely lost the ability to reason, but dismissing their feelings can make the situation worse. During a combative outburst, offer your loved one emotional support and understanding. Avoid telling your loved one how wrong he or she is, and refrain from trying to explain away his or her emotions. Instead, let your loved one know you understand his or her anger or sadness, and offer words of encouragement. Ignoring your loved one’s feelings could come across like you’re not listening and cause him or her to become more irate.
Symptoms such as agitation, confusion, anger, and frustration are common in elderly people with dementia. Caring for a senior with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Columbus families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores.
Distract with a New Activity
When your parent gets upset, engage him or her with singing, dancing, or doing some form of arts and crafts. The activity will immediately distract your loved one and provide something stimulating to do. In many cases, a senior with dementia will become so consumed with the new task that he or she will forget what led to the combative behavior. It’s best to choose an everyday activity that will grab your parent’s attention instantly.
The cognitive challenges that accompany dementia often leave aging adults unable to manage everyday tasks, which puts their safety and health at risk. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of senior home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Check Your Loved One’s Comfort Levels
Pain and discomfort often cause combative behavior in aging adults with dementia. The inability to communicate as well as they did in the past could prevent them from telling anyone about the pain, so they act out aggressively.
Check your loved one’s comfort levels to ease his or her mind. Finding out where your loved one hurts could resolve the behavior. If the pain causes your loved one to assault you and others physically, inform his or her doctor as soon as possible. Putting people in physical danger is never okay, and your loved one’s primary care physician may need to adjust treatment or conduct further examinations.
Leave the Room
In some instances, seniors with dementia don’t calm down, and the behavior gets worse. When this happens, step into another room instead of becoming upset and responding in kind. Your leaving the room gives your loved one time to calm down and reduces your risk of saying things you might regret. Before you leave the room, make sure no sharp or dangerous objects are lying around to prevent your loved one from harming him or herself while you’re in another area of the home.
Caring for a loved one with dementia is a challenging task for anyone. The responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but help is available. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Columbus homecare provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. To hire a dedicated caregiver, call Assisting Hands Home Care at 614-678-5887 today.
