Caring For a Loved One With Dementia
Changes in the behavior of someone you have known and loved your whole life can be challenging and upsetting. They may become occasionally aggressive, not sleep through the night, stop eating, begin to wander away, and even have hallucinations. These troubling behaviors can try your patience, but don’t react in a negative fashion.
Your loved one is not doing any of these things on purpose to make you upset. They are upset about something. Your job is to discover what triggered them, fix the problem, and keep them calm.
Put Yourself in Their Shoes
Hold a mirror up to you and see how you are dealing with an upsetting situation from their point of view. Are you taking the edge off? Or are you making it worse?
They will respond to your tone of voice, your facial expression, your body language, more than the words you say. So make warm eye contact and smile or try touching them, and add a sense of humor if you can.
Tips for Managing Aggression and Anxiety
See if you can identify the trigger:
- Maintain a calm demeanor.
- Reduce any stressors like loud noises, clutter, bright lights, a television.
- Redirect their attention to a calming activity like listening to music. Maybe they love old show tunes.
At the same time avoid:
- Confrontations
- Yelling or criticizing
- Ignoring their concerns
What Can Trigger Anxiety in Your Loved One With Dementia?
Reducing Anxiety Through Routine
- You can try doing more activities during the daytime like walking.
- If you have a pet, let the pet stay with them as they prepare for bed.
- Sometimes a toy like a stuffed animal is comforting and relaxes them.
- Keeping to a routine each day helps a loved one with dementia stay calm.
- Bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time is a way to give them stability.
- Do a chore together each day, fold laundry or wash vegetables for dinner.
Don’t Forget Yourself
It’s important that you get the support that you need. When it gets to be too much, ask for help. If you get burned out, take a break. You may not be able to care for your loved one with dementia by yourself.
Contact Healthspan Partners of SWFL
Call Healthspan Partners of SWFL for additional tips for managing aggression and anxiety in dementia patients, and for assistance if your caring for your loved one with dementia is becoming too stressful. Give us a call at (863) 356-1979, or schedule a conversation with a specialist using our secure online form.