If you have a senior loved one who is living with dementia, there are a variety of triggers that can lead to him or her becoming aggressive. Knowing these triggers can help you prevent them from occurring and alleviate this behavior. Oakville dementia care experts have a few tips to help your loved one remain happy and comfortable while managing this condition.
Relieve Physical Discomfort
For seniors with dementia, aggression is often caused by lack of sleep or physical pain. When your loved one becomes ill, he or she may have a difficult time articulating the cause of discomfort. Pain makes the discomfort worse, which leads to aggression. To alleviate your loved one’s pain or discomfort, make sure he or she gets adequate sleep and is comfortable at all times. Be sure to check your loved one’s temperature and schedule regular doctor visits to see what other steps can be taken to relieve his or her discomfort.
Control Environmental Factors
Being in a noisy and rowdy environment can also cause aggression. Remind family members and friends not to make a lot of noise when they are around your loved one. Too many people, especially unfamiliar individuals, inside of your loved one’s home can lead to overstimulation, which often results in anger and violent behavior. Whenever possible, keep guests and noise to a minimum.
Reduce Side Effects of Medication
The medication your loved one takes can also trigger aggression. Some medications have hallucinogenic side effects, which can trigger violent behavior and anger. This risk grows if your loved one takes more than one type of medication. Ask the doctor if your loved one can be placed on a medication with fewer side effects or if the medication can be eliminated altogether.
Keep Communication Simple
Asking your loved one too many questions could cause him or her to become agitated. Limit the amount of questions you ask your loved one in any given situation so he or she can remain calm. Be sure you give simple instructions when you ask your loved one to complete a task. Complex instructions can confuse seniors with dementia, which often leads to stress and aggression.
Having a part-time or live-in caregiver in the home can help your loved one better manage aggression and other symptoms of dementia. At Home Care Assistance, all of our caregivers are expertly trained in elderly dementia care. In addition to cognitive and social stimulation, the caregiver assigned to your loved one can also help with various daily tasks like cooking, exercise, and medication reminders. For more information on home care Oakville families trust, call (905) 337-1200 today to speak with a Care Manager and schedule a free in-home consultation.