Handling Aggression and Agitation in Dementia
Aggression and agitation are quite common in people who have dementia. There are many reasons why people with this disease get so upset. Sometimes, the cycle seems endless. For example, your elderly loved one might be restless and that causes them to be agitated. The agitation can lead to aggression. Then, the cycle continues with more irritation and agitation.
As a family caregiver, it is important to learn how to properly handle aggression and agitation in your elderly loved one.
Comforting Them
The best thing you can do if your elderly loved one is being aggressive or if they are agitated is to comfort them. Your elderly loved one needs to know that you are there for them. If your elderly loved one feels more comfortable through touch, such as a hand on their shoulder, you could do that. Other people with dementia may feel more relaxed if someone talks to them in a calm tone. This may be something you need to do for your elderly loved one. You may also need to get them companion care at home services. The companionship your elderly loved one receives can help them to feel more relaxed, too.
Don’t Show Frustration
You might be getting tired of the agitation and aggression that your elderly loved one shows. It can be difficult to hide your frustrations. However, getting frustrated with your elderly loved one is likely going to make their feelings even worse. If you feel that you are getting overly frustrated and you can’t hold it in any longer, turn to elder care providers for help. They can watch your elderly loved one while you go home or take a break.
Do Positive Activities
If your elderly loved one is getting agitated or aggressive, they may just need something positive in their daily routine. There are many positive activities that might be able to calm your elderly loved one. Some ideas that might help include having them drink a cup of tea in the morning, getting a massage, or using an essential oil diffuser. Hopefully, the positive activities can help to keep your elderly loved one calmer.
Conclusion
There are many dementia patients that get agitated and aggressive every day. If you are a family caregiver for someone with this disease, learning how to handle their emotions can keep things under control. Don’t forget that you can always get companion care at home for your elderly loved one. Having a daily companion can help to prevent some agitation and aggression for your elderly loved one in the first place.
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/coping-agitation-and-aggression-alzheimers-disease