Caring for a loved one can feel rewarding. It can also be hard. This can be even harder when you care for a senior living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Changes in behaviour can happen for many reasons. These include too much noise or activity, pain, confusion, poor sleep, medicine side effects, or changes in routine.
Over 747,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
Knowing why behaviour changes happen matters for caregivers, family, and friends. It also helps to know how to respond. The goal is to keep everyone safe, offer real support, and calm tense moments. Behaviour changes can include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Aggression or anger
- Suspicion
- Hallucinations
- Pacing or wandering
The key thing to remember is that challenging behaviour may not be fully avoidable. It is not the fault of the person living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. These behaviours can be part of the illness. Extra support can help keep behaviour from getting worse.
No single approach works for every person or situation. But these methods can help.
Staying calm – Caregivers may feel attacked or helpless during difficult moments. Remind yourself that it isn’t personal. It is a symptom of the disease. Arguing or trying to “reason it out” can make an outburst worse. Stay calm, reassuring, and supportive.
Keeping a schedule – Seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia often find routine comforting. A steady schedule for meals, activities, and daily tasks can reduce anxiety, confusion, and anger.
Exercise – With a doctor’s approval, exercise can ease stress for both seniors and caregivers. Doing activities together can also strengthen connection.
Participating in activities – A hobby, a household chore, or doctor-approved exercise can help redirect and calm a person when behaviour changes begin. For example, you can ask for help folding laundry to ease anxiety, or play music or sing to soothe someone who feels confused, angry, or depressed.
Mindful communication – Use a calm tone, short sentences, and gentle eye contact to show understanding and care. This can help seniors who feel anxious or frustrated feel more settled.
Comfort Keepers Can Help
At Comfort Keepers, our caregivers receive focused training, and we build personalized care plans to support clients living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. Our trained caregivers engage clients in mental, physical, and social activities that support medical care and improve quality of life.
Caregivers can also help with stress-relief activities, support doctor-approved diet and exercise plans, accompany clients to appointments, and review the home for safety as part of an in-home assessment. For more information on how in-home caregiving can help, contact us today.
References
alz.org Canada. “Alzheimer’s and Dementia in Canada”. Web. 2019.
National Institute on Aging. “Managing Personality and Behavior Changes in Alzheimer’s.” Web. 2017.
Verywell Health. “Complete Guide to Challenging Behaviors in Dementia.” Web. 2019.
Alzheimer’s Association. “Stages and Behaviors.” Web.
