Someone living with dementia can start displaying behaviors that seem completely uncharacteristic for who the person was before developing dementia. Family caregivers may be completely blindsided by these sudden changes and feel uncertain on how to care for dementia patients who are aggressive.
Why Do Dementia Patients Display Aggressive Behavior?
To work with aggressive dementia patients, it’s important to understand why they can display hostile behaviors that seem completely out of character.
As Alzheimer’s disease and some other forms of dementia progress, behavioral symptoms like agitation are common. This agitation is often due to people with dementia being confused and scared. They may lash out in aggression due to their fears and confusion, unable to properly regulate their emotions and behaviors as this condition progresses.
For some dementia patients, this aggression may manifest only during certain times of the day. Many caregivers have noted that, in the middle or later stages of Alzheimer’s, patients display what is known as sundowning syndrome. Sundowning, as the name suggests, often occurs in the late afternoon to early evening, and can include behavioral symptoms like:
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
9 Tips for Handling Aggressive Behavior Changes in Dementia Patients
1. Be Patient
The number one tip for dealing with aggressive dementia symptoms? Be patient, both with yourself and your family member. Dementia can be scary for both your relative and you, leading to uncomfortable and sometimes painful changes in family dynamics. Remembering that your loved one is striking out due to fear and confusion can make it easier to de-escalate conflicts with grace.
When a loved one is displaying aggressive symptoms of dementia and not responding to your go-to de-escalation techniques, try giving the person some personal space. As you do so, practice some deep breathing exercises yourself to help ground you and calm you down. These steps can make re-engaging with your relative less stressful as you both have time to “cool down.”
2. Learn What’s Causing the Aggression
Many people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia have specific triggers for their aggressive behavior. If you can learn what’s causing your relative’s aggression, you can address the source of his or her irritation and reduce unwanted behaviors. Going a step further, learning your relative’s body language can help you learn cues that signal irritation, making it easier to address the situation before an outburst occurs.
Common triggers for aggressive behavior include:
- Confusion
- Excessive caffeine
- Fatigue
- Loud noises
- Physical discomfort (constipation, hunger, etc.)
3. Stick to a Daily Routine
Experiencing memory loss can be disorienting and scary. In this state of mind, it’s common for people to lash out. One way to mitigate confusion and resulting behavioral changes is to establish a daily routine. Having clear times for waking up, meals, and going to sleep can breed a familiarity that comforts the person living with dementia. This familiarity can potentially lessen the severity and frequency of outbursts.
4. Check for a UTI
People living with dementia are at greater risk of health issues like urinary tract infections (UTIs). Untreated UTIs can lead to hostile behaviors, so treating UTIs or other potential health conditions may help resolve certain unwanted behaviors.
Common signs of UTIs in people with dementia include:
-
- Delirium
- Difficulty urinating
- Experiencing pain while urinating
- Frequent urination
- High fever
- Incontinence
- Sudden changes in behavior
People with dementia may not be able to effectively communicate that they are having issues that could indicate a UTI. That’s why caregivers should note any potential UTI symptoms—especially sudden behavioral changes—and seek medical attention right away if a UTI is suspected.
5. Talk to a Doctor About Medications
Certain medications may provide short-term relief from aggressive symptoms in geriatric dementia patients. According to Alzheimer’s Association, commonly prescribed medications for dementia patients displaying aggressive symptoms (off-label use) include:
- Antipsychotics like risperidone
- Anti-anxiety medications like lorazepam
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline
Of course, over-medicating can also be a concern. Older adults living with dementia often receive medication for other medical conditions often seen with old age, such as osteoporosis. Sometimes these medications can have unpleasant side effects or interactions that trigger aggressive or sudden changes in behavior. It’s always important to discuss all treatment options with licensed medical professionals, so they can help your family navigate these potential interactions and negative side effects.
6. Try Music Therapy
Music interventions can have a positive effect on agitation in people living with dementia. These interventions can be as simple as passively listening to soothing background music.
A good place for caregivers to start is to play music from the dementia patient’s youth and see how the person responds. If the response is positive, keep going! If the response is less than positive, switching to classical music or slow tempo songs may be the next step.
7. Join a Support Group
Family caregivers may find their mental health suffering as their loved ones progress to the middle and later stages of dementia. A supportive network can lend advice and emotional support that can lessen the draining impact of caregiving, helping caregivers avoid burnout.
8. Seek Respite Care Services
Sometimes family caregivers need a break from their responsibilities. Maybe they need a mental health break to avoid burnout. Maybe they need peace of mind that their relatives will be cared for while they go on vacation. Maybe they themselves are recovering from an injury that prevents them from caring for someone else. Whatever the reason, respite care services can assure families that their relatives with dementia will receive necessary care while they step back from day-to-day caregiving responsibilities.
9. Move Your Loved One to a Senior Living Community
Caring for a loved one living with dementia can be difficult, especially when that person is displaying uncharacteristically aggressive behavior. Sometimes the best way to ensure high quality of life for everyone involved is to move the person with dementia into a senior living community. These communities are staffed with highly trained professionals who have the expertise to deal with aggressive dementia symptoms and know the techniques to diffuse tense situations.
Depending on the stage and type of dementia someone has, potential senior living options for dementia patients who are aggressive can include:
- Skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes)
- Assisted living communities
- Memory care communities (dementia care communities)
If you’re looking for help caring for a dementia patient who is aggressive, contact Avista today. One of our staff members can walk you through our senior living options and help your family find a senior care plan that works for your family’s unique situation.
Disclaimers: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Please direct any and all medical questions to a licensed healthcare professional.