Tips for Managing Aggression in an Elderly Parent with Alzheimer’s

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Ways to Manage Aggression in Aging Adults with Alzheimer’s in Roseville, CA

Alzheimer’s disease can produce a wide variety of symptoms, including aggressive behavior. Many seniors with Alzheimer’s become hostile or agitated at the drop of a hat, and caregivers must be ready to handle these situations. If your aging loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you need to come up with a comprehensive plan that allows you to manage and prevent aggressive behavior.

Take Care of Your Loved One’s Basic Needs

Many seniors with Alzheimer’s can’t express their needs, which can lead to hostile interactions. Your loved one might become agitated or angry if he or she is tired, hungry, or in pain. To combat those issues, establish a strict sleep schedule and serve meals at the same time every day. You should also schedule regular appointments with your loved one’s doctor so medical complications can be caught early on.

Symptoms such as agitation, confusion, anger, and frustration are common in elderly people with Alzheimer’s. The days, weeks, and months following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be challenging for both seniors and their families. However, these challenges can be made less stressful with the help of caregivers trained in professional Alzheimer’s care. Roseville Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one enjoy the golden years while simultaneously managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Keep Questions and Conversations Simple

When seniors have Alzheimer’s, it can be quite difficult for them to answer complex questions or follow lengthy conversations. As your loved one’s disease progresses, you’ll need to change how you speak to him or her. Instead of asking open-ended questions that have several potential answers, you might want to stick to yes/no questions. You should also limit how much you talk to your loved one when he or she is focused on other tasks, such as eating or listening to the radio.

Listen and Affirm

One of the best ways to calm seniors with Alzheimer’s is to actively listen to them. It might be tempting to argue with your loved one or disprove what he or she is saying, but it could make the situation worse. Even if your loved one is making false accusations, you should eagerly listen to everything he or she says. After being given the opportunity to speak his or her mind, your loved one might calm down.

The cognitive challenges that accompany Alzheimer’s often leave aging adults unable to manage everyday tasks, which puts their safety and health at risk. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading in-home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.

Learn to Distract

Distracting your loved one is another great tactic that could defuse a tense situation. Every senior with Alzheimer’s is slightly different, but you should be able to find at least a few activities that distract your loved one. As soon as you notice your loved one’s demeanor is changing, put on his or her favorite music or ask for help with a simple chore around the house. When you catch the early warning signs of an outburst, diverting your loved one’s attention should be very effective.

Track the Triggers

A wide variety of things could end up triggering your loved one, and tracking those provocations can make your job much easier. Whenever an outburst occurs, write down as much information as possible about the situation. Over time, those notes might give you clues about what’s triggering your loved one. For many seniors with Alzheimer’s, loud noises and bright lights are two of the worst triggers. Some of the other triggers that might bother your loved one include mirrors, moving shadows, traffic noises, and complex conversations.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a challenging task for anyone. The responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but help is available. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Roseville senior home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn more about our high-quality home care services.

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