Alzheimer’s Disease: Dealing with Difficult Behaviour

Seniors and Alzheimers  |  November 28, 2025

Providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is rewarding, yet it often comes with difficulties. These can be even more pronounced when the person has Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. Changes in behaviour may surface due to factors like overstimulation, physical pain, confusion, sleep issues, medication effects, or alterations in routine.

Over 747,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.

Identifying the causes behind behavioural changes is vital for caregivers, family members, and friends. It also equips caregivers with the strategies they need to manage behaviours, provide safe care, and reduce tension.

These behaviors can include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Aggression or anger
• Suspicion
• Hallucinations
• Pacing or wandering

The most important thing that caregivers need to remember is that challenging behaviors may not be entirely avoidable. It’s also not the fault of the person with Alzheimer’s or dementia. These behaviors are sometimes a common product of the disease. And, there is specialized support a caregiver can use to help keep challenging behaviors from escalating.

5 Tips for Caregivers Dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease and Difficult Behaviours

While there is no guaranteed approach that will work with every person or situation, there are some methods that can help caregivers manage trying times:

#1. Staying calm:

 It’s not uncommon for caregivers to feel attacked or helpless when they are caring for someone exhibiting difficult behaviors. Remembering that it isn’t personal, and that it’s a symptom of the disease, can help caregivers manage their emotions and avoid contributing to tense or difficult situations. Arguing or reasoning can often escalate an outburst, so it’s necessary for caregivers to stay calm and supportive

#2. Keeping a schedule:

Seniors that suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias often find it reassuring to have a set schedule for meals, activities and daily tasks. Creating a schedule, and sticking to it as much as possible, can help prevent anxiety, confusion and anger.

#3. Exercise:

Exercise, with approval from a physician, is a great stress reliever for both seniors and caregivers. And, participating in activities together helps foster important emotional connections.

#4. Participating in activities:

Whether it’s an enjoyable hobby, household chore or physician-approved exercise, participating in joyful activities has shown to help manage challenging behaviors. These can be pre-scheduled or introduced when difficult behaviors are recognized. For example, caregivers can ask for help folding laundry to ease anxiety or can play music or sing to calm someone feeling confused, angry or depressed.

#5. Mindful communication:

Caregivers shouldn’t underestimate the power of communication. Caregivers can use soothing tones, speak in a friendly way and make eye contact to convey normalcy, understanding and compassion. This can help seniors experiencing anxiety or frustration to calm themselves.

Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg Can Help Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease

At Comfort Keepers®, we provide specific training for our caregivers and individualized care plans to provide care and support to seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and to their families. 

Our specially trained Comfort Keepers engage clients in intellectual, physical and emotional interactions that complement medical treatment and improve the quality of life for everyone involved. And, they can facilitate stress management activities, support for physician-approved diet and exercise plans, provide transportation to appointments and will evaluate a home for safety as part of an in-home assessment. 

Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg Offers a Wide Range of Private Home Senior Care Services

For families concerned about the health and well-being of aging loved ones, we can help with home care services, including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, in-home personal care, respite care, specialized care, in-home nursing, end-of-life care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® professional caregivers provide services to ensure safety, health, and happiness without the stress of moving to an assisted living or rehabilitation facility. Individually tailored care plans account for living arrangements, medical issues, physical restrictions, personalities, expectations, and more.

Our Interactive Caregiving™ Approach Enables Top-Notch Homecare

Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). Our compassionate caregivers can provide a personalized home care plan for your loved one, allowing them to enjoy a healthier, safer, and more meaningful retirement at home. 

Comfort Keepers® is the Most Trusted Name in Senior Care in Winnipeg

Our in-home caregivers ensure our seniors are physically, socially, and mentally engaged. In addition, we provide options, activities, events, and resources for seniors that might otherwise not be available.

Locally Owned and Operated In-Home Personal Care for Seniors

Our caregivers live and work in the Winnipeg area. We know the area and how to assist our clients using local resources. Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. If you live in Winnipeg and require homecare services for senior personal care and wellbeing, contact Comfort Keepers® at (204)-488-4600. 

Accredited Home Care for Seniors in Winnipeg

Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg is accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers® offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada.

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.

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