Dementia Care Dos And Don’ts: Dealing With Dementia Behavior Problems
Dementia is a persistent mental disorder that can not only make the patient suffer but also put the people associated with the patient into troubled waters. This disease is marked by a number of features like mood swings, personality changes and lack of mental and physical coordination. It is quite a common issue pertaining to old age, and it gives rise to several behavioral changes in elderly folks.
Experts for memory care in Oklahoma City recommend several ways to deal with dementia and other behavioral problems that it brings. You need to choose the one that suits your circumstances the best. The age of the patient along with the level of illness are the key factors on which caring for patients suffering from dementia depends. This post brings you some methods that really work for taking care of loved ones who have dementia in the most effective way.
Case A: Aggressive Behavior
Patients who are suffering from dementia find themselves getting angry or excited unknowingly over petty issues like eating, taking a bath or getting dressed. The verbal or physical aggression they exhibit is a result of their mental illness that forces them to overreact. Caregivers and family members of such patients who are elderly and have dementia should take note of the points listed below.
- Indulge in any argument or try to oppose them forcefully.
- Use abusive behavior or language that may provoke them to become violent.
- Handle the patient’s aggression with a great sense of patience and understanding.
- Try to pacify them as much as you can without getting much closer, as they might get frightened or try to attack you.
- Stay supportive verbally and try to give the patient more psychological space to get comfortable.
Case B: Confusion About Time and Place
Dementia is a disease that keeps on damaging the cognitive functioning of brain, and thus a patient feels confusion about time and place. Memory care in Oklahoma City includes taking great care of elderly people who often ask to go home and frequently fail to remember the time. You can follow the tips listed below to make things much easier for you and your loved one.
- Try to engage in long explanations about the confusion they are facing. This can give rise to further confusion and even make things worse.
- Never scold or try to burden the patient with accusations and complaints. They are already suffering, and any harsh behavior from your side will make them feel sad and more depressed.
- Try to divert their attention somewhere else when they start questioning. Remember that you need to subdue their tension and stress but never try to suppress them with your words or deeds.
- Try to discover activities they like to do. The moment they face issues related to confusion, encourage them to do something they enjoy. This will keep them both busy and happy. You can also help them out with gentle reminders like alarms or notes so that they do not feel lost.
Case C: Lack of Judgment
The damage or deterioration caused to the brain cells by dementia, especially in senior adults, can lead to errors in thinking and perception. In most cases, the patient doesn’t even realize the issues pertaining to keeping a track of daily activities or feel their inability to judge things normally. Thus experts in memory care in Oklahoma City recommend that you follow the points listed below to ensure good care of your elderly loved ones suffering from dementia.
- Argue with the patient or be accusatory, as this can trigger defensive actions or hyperactivity in them. Never try to be rude or suppressive toward the patient.
- Use punitive behavior in any way, either verbal or non-verbal, as this will make the patient develop arrogance. This will be further detrimental to their health.
- Try to assess the extent of damage done by the disease on the patient so that you can come up with ways to tackle the problem effectively.
- Use love and laughter, which are the best medicines. Thus the first and foremost thing you need to do when looking after patients suffering from dementia is to love them more and make them laugh. This will really help them feel better.