Skip to Main Content
chevron-right
chevron-left
chevron-down
chevron-up
chevron-circle-up
chevron-circle-right
chevron-circle-down
chevron-circle-left
Facebook Logo
Twitter Logo
Linkedin Logo
Youtube Logo
Instagram Logo
Google Plus Logo
Vimeo Logo
Issuu Logo
Right arrow
Left arrow
Location
Search
Phone Icon
Services
Home Care
Senior Care
Home Nursing Services
At Home Therapies
Respite Care
Home Care FAQ
Hospice
Bereavement & Grief
Hospice & Alzheimers
Hospice Costs
Hospice Pet Therapy
Special Care Programs
Your Care Team
Specialized Home Care
Patient-Centered Dementia Care
Arthritis
Congestive Heart Failure
Huntington’s Disease
Hypertension / Blood Pressure
Coronary Artery Disease
Diabetes
COPD
Joint Replacement
Mental Health and Depression
Home Care Support for Multiple Sclerosis
Palliative Care
Paraplegia and Quadriplegia
Parkinson's Disease
Pediatric Care
Traumatic Brain Injury
Ventilator Care
Wound Care
Veterans Care
Staffing
Staffing FAQ
COVID-19 Vaccination Staffing
Careers
About Us
COVID-19 Update
Our Standard of Care
Our History
Franchise Leader
Executive Team
Caring Brands International
Press Releases
Honoring Veterans
Historic Milestones
Contact Us
Education Center
Aging in Place
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Health Aide
8 Dietary Tips for Improving Senior Heart Health
Talking About Substance Abuse as a Caregiver
How to Take Care of Aging Hair
4 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality for Seniors
Designing Outdoor Living Areas for Seniors
Getting A Grip: How and Where to Install Bathroom Grab Bars
Keeping Active: Tips for Senior Gardening
Alzheimer's and Dementia
Calculating the Cost
Certified Senior Advisors
Consumer Health Care Education
Advisor Care Giving Guide
Care in a Residential Facility
Check Your Home Care IQ
Elder Care Communities
Consumer Alert
Medicare and Home Care
Senior Care Resources
Senior Care Scams
Consumer Rights
Signs That Care At Home is Needed
Long Term Care
Fall Prevention
Mobility in Seniors
Falls FAQ's
Home Safety Checklist
Home Safety Tips
Hidden Hazards
Medications and Fall Risk
Reduce the Risk of Falling
Risk of Falling
Visiting the Doctor and Discussing Falls
What to Do If Someone Falls
Family Caregiving
Elder Care Videos
Hiring Your Own Caregivers
Family Care Giving Facts
Information for Seniors
Long Distance Caregiving
Starting the Conversation
The Stress of Family Caregiving
Taking Care Of Yourself as a Family Caregiver
Home Care Technology
Hospice Fact or Myth
In-Home Caregivers
Senior Health
Exercise and Older Adults
Senior Nutrition
Taking Medications
Tips for Lowering Blood Pressure
Seniors and Zika Virus
Savvy Senior
Stories From Home
Transitioning from a Facility
Independent Living Assessment
Blog
Facebook
Linkedin
Twitter
Youtube
Instagram
Home
>
Blog
>
November 2017
>
What are Common Behavior Changes for Alzheimer’s Patients?
What are Common Behavior Changes for Alzheimer’s Patients?
Posted: 11/3/2017 1:57 PM by
Interim HealthCare
One of the most challenging aspects of caring for an older adult with Alzheimer’s or dementia are the behavioral changes they may experience. It’s hard to know what to expect because not every person with dementia has the same symptoms. In fact, people sometimes say the experience of being a caregiver to someone with dementia is different for everyone. One of the best ways to be prepared for difficult behavior changes is to learn about them ahead of time. Below are some of the behaviors a person with dementia may experience.
Anxiety
People with dementia can become agitated for a number of reasons. Often it is the result of feeling a loss of control. It can be helpful to track the senior’s activities and moods to determine what triggers anxiety. Include information about the time of day, what was going on when the person became agitated, and what responses worked best to manage the behavior. Some techniques that may help manage anxiety are:
Check for sources of pain or discomfort, such as hunger, thirst, or injury.
Keep your voice calm and reassuring while reminding the senior that you are there to help.
Quiet the environment by removing distractions and noise.
Distract them with a favorite activity.
Repetitive Actions
A person with dementia might say or do the same thing over and over. The behavior isn’t harmful, but it can be annoying. Repetition is often triggered by boredom, anxiety, or fear. The action may be a way of seeking comfort or familiarity. To cope with the behavior:
Try to understand how the senior is feeling and focus on that instead of on the action.
If possible, look for a way to make the action into an activity.
Be patient.
Get the senior involved in doing something else.
Being Suspicious
Suspicious or paranoid behavior can be especially difficult for caregivers because they are sometimes the target of the behavior. People with dementia may accuse loved ones of theft or other improper behavior. To deal with suspicion:
Remember the behavior is a symptom of the condition, so try not to be offended.
Don’t argue.
If there is one item the person always suspects has been taken, keep duplicates of the item on hand to present when the behavior occurs.
Dealing with behavioral changes is difficult and exhausting for family members. Hiring an elder care provider to care for your aging family member can allow others to take a break from caregiving. Elder care providers can ensure the senior is safe and comfortable while you are at work, spending time with family, or running errands. Elder care providers are able to do nearly anything for your parent that you can, including cooking, cleaning, personal care, and assistance with eating.
Learn more about
Alzheimer's and Dementia care
.