How to Deal with Dementia Patients Who Is Aggressive
Caregiving for a dementia patient can be both fulfilling and challenging, especially when the patient exhibits aggressive behavior. When learning how to deal with dementia patients who is aggressive, it’s important to understand that aggression can manifest in various ways, from verbal outbursts to physical actions like hitting, shouting, or resisting care.
Although this behavior can be distressing for both the patient and the caregiver, it is crucial to remember that aggression is often a result of the disease itself and not a personal trait of the patient. Understanding how to deal with dementia patients who is aggressive involves patience, empathy, and recognizing the underlying causes of these behaviors.
Learning About the Causes of Aggression in Dementia Patients
Aggression in dementia patients is associated with the decline in cognition and neurological changes that are brought about by the disease. Patients suffering from dementia may become confused, frustrated, fearful, or lose control of their environment as dementia progresses, causing aggression. Some of the common causes of aggression in dementia patients include:
- Unmet Needs: A hungry, thirsty, or toilet-bound patient is not able to say so, and when such needs are not met, he or she can get angry. Being overtired or overstimulated also leads to aggressive behavior.
- Environmental Factors: Overcrowding, noise, or unfamiliar settings overwhelm the senses of an individual with dementia. The person feels distressed by these overwhelming sensory stimuli and expresses them in aggressive outbursts.
- Personality change: Sometimes, the dementia patient’s personality changes because some will become suspicious or paranoid whereas others will become withdrawn; this transformation might make him lash out at the caregivers and family members.
How to Handle Aggressive Dementia Patients
Managing aggressive dementia patients requires patience, understanding, and practical strategies for the safe and healthy care of the patient and the caregiver. Here are some helpful tips on how to manage aggression in such patients:
1. Remain Calm and Patient
You have to be cool when dealing with an aggressive dementia patient. Caregivers usually react emotionally to aggression, but this will only fuel the fire if you react with anger or frustration. Take a deep breath, speak in a soothing and calm tone, and do not raise your voice. Your calmness will reduce the tension and may even make the patient calm down.
2. Try to understand them
Sometimes it is easier to allow this if they are suspicious or fearful because saying something like, “I understand you’re feeling upset, but I am here to help you,” will immediately calm the angry patient. Validation will make the patient feel understood and respected, which can help diffuse tension.
3. Determine Triggers and Avoid Them
Dementia patients may exhibit aggression due to specific situations or triggers. To understand how to deal with dementia patients who is aggressive, it’s important to observe their behavior for patterns and identify any common triggers, such as loud noises, certain times of day, or particular activities. Once these triggers are identified, you can make changes to the environment or daily routine to help minimize stress and agitation. For example, if the patient tends to become agitated in the late afternoon, a phenomenon known as “sundowning,” try reducing stimulation and creating a calmer environment during that time. By understanding how to deal with dementia patients who is aggressive, you can help create a more comfortable and less stressful experience for both the patient and caregiver.
4. Redirect the Behavior
Sometimes, one can diffuse aggression by diverting or distracting the dementia patient’s attention to another thing. Give them a soothing activity, like listening to soft music, holding a comforting object, or engaging in a simple activity they enjoy.
5. Comfort and Safety
Physical discomfort is another cause of aggression in dementia patients. Ensure the patient is not hungry or thirsty, in pain, or needs to go to the bathroom. If they are unable to express their needs, anticipate this and ensure that assistance and discomfort checks are done appropriately. Seek medical opinion, if required, to establish if infections or injuries causing pain exist.
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6. Seek Professional Assistance
If the aggression does not improve or even worsens, then professional assistance should be sought. A healthcare provider or dementia specialist can assess the situation and recommend appropriate medications or therapies.
Discover the Future of Dementia Care in Dubai with Dr. Miguel Ley Nacher
Professional direction is mandatory if things have gone wrong so that nothing less than the best service can be offered to that patient.
Preventing dementia requires proactive management of chronic health conditions, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and staying up-to-date with the latest developments in dementia care.
If you or someone you care about is showing signs of dementia, or if you’re seeking expert advice on preventing cognitive decline, reach out to Dr. Miguel Ley Nacher, a consultant neurologist with specialized expertise in dementia treatment. Dr. Miguel offers personalized care and support to help you manage your health and enhance your quality of life.
