Caregiver’s Guide to Understanding Dementia Behaviors

When a person has dementia, they can become uncooperative, resistant to daily activities, and confused. To manage such behavior, you should break down daily tasks into simple steps and give ample time for the person to complete them. The dementia care at home San Diego, CA provider should also provide coping tactics and activities, such as laughter. If your loved one becomes increasingly resistant to completing tasks, you can help them by addressing the root causes of their behavior.

Communication skills

The first step to dealing with the behavior of a loved one with dementia is to learn about the signs of the disease. Repetitive speech or behavior is typical among people who have dementia. While they may be harmless, they may be frustrating to the caregiver trying to communicate with them. To prevent this from happening, it’s best to avoid reminding them of questions or activities they may have already completed. Instead, put up signs around the house reminding them of specific activities or events.

Nutrition

One of the most common problems caregivers encounter is an individual’s inability to remember what’s important to them. This can lead to frustration and confusion, so it is essential to recognize the signs that the person with dementia is exhibiting. Repetitive behaviors may be triggered by fear, anxiety, boredom, or environmental factors. To alleviate this, caregivers can comfort the individual, distract them, or provide them with comforting words or pictures. However, be sure not to remind the person that it is essential to remember what they have done or are doing.

Lifestyle changes

There is no direct evidence linking dementia risk and lifestyle changes, but the correlation between these factors is substantial. Previous experience with dementia and family history of the disease are significant indicators of susceptibility to dementia. Lifestyle changes and health literacy are critical cues for dementia prevention. People with dementia and their caregivers are encouraged to make healthy changes, which may reduce the disease’s risk. However, lifestyle changes may not prevent dementia.

Laughter

Dementia caregivers must adapt to changes in their loved one’s behavior. Some changes in behavior are caused by underlying medical conditions, while others result from the disease itself. While you cannot control a loved one’s behavior, you can learn to recognize the signs of dementia and adjust accordingly. For example, if you observe that your loved one is acting out because of pain or another trigger, visit their doctor.

Connection

In addition to cognitive decline, various behaviors occur during caregiving, including aggressive or defensive behavior. A caregiver’s response to aggressive behavior may differ depending on the behavior’s nature and ethnicity. Understanding and developing strategies to manage these behaviors can help caregivers deal with this type of behavior. 

Memory loss

One of the most important things to remember when caring for a loved one with dementia is that their behavior is not always under your control. Often, behavioral changes are the result of underlying medical problems. Sometimes, it isn’t apparent what your loved one is trying to communicate, but you can adjust to their changing needs by being flexible. For example, try to avoid changes in their environment or schedule that might trigger certain behaviors.

Agitation

The overarching term for dementia is agitation, a range of behaviors that include physical aggression, sleeplessness, and irritability. Anyone with dementia will experience some level of agitation, whether mild or severe, at some point in their life. Many factors can trigger agitation, including fear, fatigue, and a lack of control. Here are some tips for addressing your loved one’s agitation.

Verbal threats

When dealing with verbal threats in dementia, it’s essential to know what to do to stop them. If you don’t understand the situation, take note of what’s happening, and try not to react in anger; instead, try to breathe slowly and evenly, making the environment calmer for the person with dementia. If possible, use calming music. If all else fails, try to move on to another topic.