Alzheimer’s disease leads to progressive deterioration in the brain, which causes problems with memory and cognition. Even more heartbreaking, these changes to the brain can cause a range of behavioral issues. Caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients may find their loved ones acting in unfamiliar, even disturbing or violent ways. Sometimes the behavior is so severe that families place Alzheimer’s patients in nursing homes or dementia care facilities. Show
5 Common Alzheimer’s BehaviorsFortunately, there are plenty of coping strategies available to help families develop an understanding of what their loved one is going through, as well as help them manage the behavioral effects of dementia. 1. Angry Outbursts and Physical Aggression Verbal or physical aggression, which can be quite alarming, is common in patients with Alzheimer’s. It is key for caregivers to remember that the disease is triggering these behaviors, and that the patient isn’t acting this way deliberately. Another important strategy is identifying whether there is an immediate cause for the behavior, such as physical discomfort or over stimulation.  Let our care assessment guide youOur free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation. 2. Hand-wringing, Pacing and Rocking Dementia makes it very difficult to process stimuli and new information, causing many people with Alzheimer’s disease to become anxious. This anxiety often manifests itself in the form of restlessness, pacing, hand-wringing, and rocking. The Alzheimer’s Association notes that anxiety is often triggered by very specific details in the environment, so try to identify what’s causing your loved one to become anxious and then divert his or her attention, for example by taking a short walk, listening to soft music or singing a song. 3. Accusing Loved Ones of Wrongdoing and Hallucinating Caregivers may feel at a loss when an Alzheimer’s patient exhibits behavior that is clearly not grounded in reality: either hallucinations—perceiving something that isn’t really there—or delusions, which are false beliefs that can lead to paranoia. Sometimes simple distraction can help bring an Alzheimer’s person back to the present, but severe hallucinations or delusions should be brought to a doctor’s attention. 4. Repeating Stories and Leaving the House Unassisted The memory problems caused by Alzheimer’s disease can lead to a range of distressing behaviors, including repetition of words or activities, disorientation even in familiar places, and, in severe cases, confusion about the passage of time. Most important, says the Alzheimer’s Association, is for caregivers to stay calm and be patient. Memory aids such as notes or photos may also help. Ann Napoletan, who was an Alzheimer’s caregiver for many years said, “My advice – first and foremost – do not argue or try to correct them when they repeat something over and over again. As hard as it is, it’s best if you can just smile and nod (even if you’re *really* just clenching your teeth!). You’ll have less regrets if you don’t let these moments turn into arguments.” Talk with a Senior Living AdvisorOur advisors help 300,000 families each year find the right senior care for their loved ones. 5. Sleep Problems and Sundowning It’s not well understood why sleep disturbances occur in many Alzheimer’s patients, but it’s common for them to experience nighttime restlessness and changes to their sleep schedule. The symptoms, referred to as sundowning, can aggravate behavioral issues and create misery for caregiver and senior alike. The Family Caregiver Alliance suggests plenty of structured activity during the day and a healthy diet that limits sugar and caffeine intake. Experts also recommend that you make sure your loved one is not over-napping in the day, which can cause night-time over activity. Another tip is to close the curtains or shades just before dark and turn on as many interior lights as possible. Though these are not the only problem behaviors common to Alzheimer’s patients—issues with dressing, bathing, and eating are also distressingly frequent—they are some of the most prevalent. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, we want your input—what has been the most difficult behavioral issue you’ve encountered? What are your coping strategies? Related Articles:
What is the 3 types of behavioral triggers?Here, I'll discuss three types of trigger: external, internal, and synthetic. These each have different strengths and weaknesses, and each can be used to design great behaviors that form lasting habits. Let's look more closely at each type of trigger.
What are some common causes or triggers of Alzheimer's related behaviors?Underlying medical conditions, environmental influences and some medications can cause behavioral symptoms or make them worse. These symptoms include: • Sleep disturbances. Agitation (physical or verbal aggression, general emotional distress, restlessness, pacing, shredding paper or tissues and/or yelling).
What are the three behavioral problems associated with dementia?Behavioral disturbances in dementia are often globally described as “agitation” including verbal and physical aggression, wandering, and hoarding. These symptoms create patient and caregiver distress, and lead to nursing home placement.
What is most likely to be a potential behavioral trigger in a person with Alzheimer's disease?Pain. Pain is a significant trigger of behavioral disturbance in dementia patients, but is often overlooked or ignored. Most common complaints concern musculoskeletal pain such as joint, back, and leg pain.
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What are the 3 types of behavioral triggers alzheimers
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