Coping with Changing Behavior
Spring weather reminds us that, as uncomfortable as it is sometimes, change is ongoing and inevitable.
Dear Caregivers,
As we begin to ease into spring weather, it reminds us that, as uncomfortable as it is sometimes, change is ongoing and inevitable. This change can sometimes be small and incremental, happening day-to-day, or suddenly appear all at once like a cold snap after a week of balmy weather.
For caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer's disease, coping with change can be a major challenge. As the disease progresses and ravages the mind, your loved one can experience a range of behavioral and psychological changes including bouts of agitation, aggression, anxiety, depression, and hallucinations.
Review this list of strategies today and you will be better prepared to face your loved one’s challenging mood or behavior in the future.
Validate your loved one’s feelings: Don’t try to deny that your loved one should feel scared, or angry, or irritated. Instead, let them know that their feelings are valid, and that you can understand that they are feeling that way.
Don’t try to “set the record straight”: Your loved one may be confused or forget some aspect of something, such as a name or date. Instead of trying to correct their perception, focus on how they are feeling and address that. Offer reassurances to them and try to redirect their attention to something else (learn more about the “Think FAST - Food / Activity / Story / Trip” technique here).
Remain calm, and practice quiet patience: For people suffering from Alzheimer’s, things often take longer to accomplish, and there are times of intense confusion and disorientation. It's important to do your best to keep from being angry or frustrated, as this can make the situation worse.
Create a calming environment: Try to create a calm and relaxing environment for your loved one, including playing gentle music and directing them to a favorite, comfortable chair to relax in.
Get help: If your loved one’s behavior becomes alarming and seems potentially too hard to manage by yourself, seek help from friends, and particularly from your NAN Navigator. Your NAN Navigator will be able to connect you with a professional who can give you the guidance you need.
Remember to take care of yourself, too: As always, caring for yourself is crucial to performing your role as a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's disease. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise when you can, and find ways to take a break.
Here are some more ideas for how to cope with the behavioral changes that come with Alzheimer’s:
Understand the Symptoms and Changes That Occur in Each Stage of Alzheimer’s:
While each person’s journey through Alzheimer’s is unique, most people experience some common symptoms in a similar progression. Understanding the common symptoms for Early-Stage Alzheimer’s, Mid-Stage Alzheimer’s, and Moderate-Stage Alzheimer’s can help you and your loved one prepare for and cope with these changes, and thus reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with caring for someone with the disease.
Depression and Alzheimer’s Disease:
Forty percent of people with Alzheimer’s Disease also suffer from significant depression, threatening the quality of life for both you and your loved one. Here is how to get help, and plan strategies to face this additional challenge. Also, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia may be able to help in assessing your situation; ask your NAN Navigator for guidance.
Anxiety and Alzheimer’s Disease:
For people with Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety can complicate the course of their illness and significantly reduce their quality of life and interpersonal relationships. Here's how you can help.
The Apathy Syndrome:
Nearly half of Alzheimer’s sufferers develop apathy in the early and intermediate stages of their disease. Here are the key symptoms to look for in your loved one, and how to deal with the situation.
Coping with Auditory or Visual Hallucinations:
Hallucinations can be caused by diseases like Alzheimer's, which change the way the brain interprets what is seen or heard. Hallucinations can be very convincing, with the result that our loved ones have a false understanding of what they are seeing or hearing. Here’s how to meet this challenge.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“My caregiver mantra is to remember: the only control you have is over the changes you choose to make.”
— Nancy L. Kriseman, author of The Mindful Caregiver: Finding Ease in the Caregiving Journey
