What is Dementia? 12 Dementia-Related Behaviors to Look out for
By Fiona Sembiring | December 13, 2023
What is dementia? Dementia is often confused for a disease, but it is actually a term used for the collection of abnormal symptoms that affect a person’s thinking, functioning, and interaction with others. People with dementia may be irritated or annoyed by new things, can have trouble focusing, have trouble remembering, and have difficulty using proper judgment. Although dementia is not a disease, dementia can be brought on by a disease or medical condition, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple strokes, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dementia-related behaviors include:
Yelling
Biting
Hitting
Kicking
Throwing
Stomping
Pulling Hair
Wringing Hands
Pacing Back and Forth
Uncontrollable Crying
Hallucinations
Resisting Care
How can I prevent dementia-related behaviors?
There is always a cause for a dementia-related behavior. To help your loved ones, seek to understand these repetitive behaviors. First, determine the source of your loved one’s confusion, frustration, or aggression. Then, address that need before your loved one has the chance to demonstrate the behavior.
For example, if a certain dementia-related behavior is triggered by hunger, make sure that your loved one is consistently well-fed. Likewise, if a dementia-related behavior is triggered by a lack of sleep, minimize daytime naps (to an hour or less) to increase the hours of sleep at night. Another possible trigger could be loud sounds and background noises. If that is the case, be mindful of the TV or radio, people talking in another room, or even an open window. Lastly, if your loved one does not like the feeling of being rushed or not understanding the task at hand, then simplify and slow down everyday activities.
The A-B-C-D Approach
Activating Event - What was the activating event or trigger? Where does it happen and when does it happen? What was the environment? What was your loved one doing?
Behaviors - How does your loved one respond to the activating event? Remember that these behaviors are not personal but a reaction to stress from a real or imagined situation.
Communication - What words were spoken? What tone of voice or body language was used between you and your loved one? Help your loved one make sense of any confusing stimuli.
Develop a Plan - Develop a plan to prevent behaviors before they happen by removing overwhelming stimuli or triggers.
THINK: Who is the person? What is the behavior? When does it happen? Why does it happen? How can you fix it?
What else can I do?
Help identify or untangle confusing emotions
Reassure frequently
Don’t try to reason or argue
Don’t say “Don’t you remember?” or “I already told you”
Never make your loved one feel bad for their actions
Distract or redirect to an enjoyable activity
Focus on strengths and what your loved one does remember
Give praise generously like “Good job!” or “You’re doing great”
Remember to have empathy with your loved ones. Their dementia-related actions are not personal attacks but responses to unsettling or disorienting stimuli. Distractions may help to calm down agitation or aggression in individuals with dementia. However, by paying attention and removing certain triggers from your loved one’s environment, you may be able to prevent dementia-related behaviors before they start.
For many aging adults, dementia is not a disease but a set of abnormal symptoms often associated with aging. Dementia can be hard to manage for many seniors and their family members because it interferes with daily life. Family members can take action by educating themselves on how to better take care of their loved ones by recognizing the common symptoms and behaviors related to dementia.
At Samaritan Senior Care, we believe in providing transparent and personalized support to help you navigate the difficulties of dementia. Our dedicated team is committed to assisting you every step of the way, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the necessary standard and quality of care involved.
For more information and personalized guidance on in-home care services, reach out to Samaritan Senior Care today. Our experts are here to address your concerns and provide you with the necessary information to make well-informed decisions that prioritize the well-being of your loved ones.
All content and information on our website is created for informational purposes only. The information presented does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult an appropriate professional for advice related to your specific situation.
