If your elderly loved one has dementia, it might be a good idea to learn about certain behaviors that are often occurring in dementia patients. One of the main behaviors that you might notice with your elderly loved one is agitation. There are numerous reasons why people with dementia often get agitation. No matter what the reason may be for your elderly loved one, there are some tips for handling agitation with someone who has dementia.
Speaking Slowly and in a Low Tone
If your elderly loved one is getting agitated when you are talking to them, it is best to keep speaking slowly and in a low tone. If you start getting louder to combat their agitation, they will likely get even louder. If you can keep your voice low and speak in a slow manner, your elderly loved one might notice what you are doing and copy it.
Look at the Environment
Sometimes, people with dementia will get agitated because of something that is happening in their environment. If you can identify what is causing their agitation you may be able to remove that from the environment. When doing this, it could cause your elderly loved one’s agitation to lessen or go away completely. Some of the things that you should look for are objects causing loud noises, things that are out of place, or how others are acting.
Validating Your Elderly Loved One’s Feelings
Another way that you can handle your elderly loved one’s agitation is to validate them. If you try telling someone with dementia that they shouldn’t be angry and agitated, that may just make things worse. However, if you validate how your elderly loved one is feeling and they feel that you understand, this might help them to calm down. For example, you could say, “I see that you are upset about the noise. I will turn down the radio.”
Check for Pains
Another reason why people with dementia often get agitated is that they are in pain. This is one of the first things you should check for in your elderly loved one when agitation starts to come about. If there is something causing your elderly loved one’s pain, do your best to relieve or at least reduce their pain. If needed, you or an elderly care provider may need to take them to a doctor.
Conclusion
These are some of the tips for handling agitation in someone who has dementia. Now that you know how to do this, you can handle your elderly loved one’s agitation the next time it comes up.
Sources
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/whats-the-best-way-to-manage-agitation-related-to-dementia-2020021418816#:~:text=Behavioral%20and%20psychological%20symptoms%20are,greater%20distress%20than%20memory%20changes
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