Managing “Bad” Behaviors
Dear Caregivers,
There are many challenges facing caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s, including medical, legal, and social hurdles. But among the most challenging are the behavioral changes that result from the disease. Your loved one can sometimes appear to be a different person from the one you’ve known for so long, including having bouts of feeling fatigued, depressed, paranoid or anxious. They may be more irritable than usual or become delusional about what's happening around them.
Researchers believe that oftentimes these “bad” behaviors are in fact attempts by your loved one to communicate some sort of unmet need, confusion about what is going on, or a physical issue such as pain. Unable to cope with these “trigger” stressors through their usual speech or specific actions, your loved ones express themselves through these behaviors. Although it is challenging, it is important to understand this is a form of communication which a caregiver must interpret and address as best they can. This is not “bad” behavior, but simply a cry for help, which a caregiver must interpret and address as best they can.
The fundamental key to a caregiver’s success in overcoming these challenges is patience, empathy, and practicing stress reduction strategies such as relaxation breathing. There are also specific strategies you can employ to help you understand and manage these behaviors.
Read on for more.
Common Caregiving Challenges in Alzheimer’s & Dementia
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease affect both the patient and those who interact with them — especially caregivers. As Alzheimer’s alters the ability of the patient to think and function, those changes can impact the others around them. Here are some common challenges you may face and the strategies that can help.
Managing Difficult Behaviors:
For caregivers some of their greatest challenges come from the mood, personality, and behavior changes that can occur as Alzheimer’s disease impacts the brain. The behaviors can often feel like a personal attack. But the key to handling these situations is recognizing that these behaviors are due to the impact of the disease, and they are not meant as a deliberate, personal attack on you. Here is an overview of strategies that can help you face the changes you may see if your loved one displays difficult behaviors.
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
“Communication is a skill that you can learn. If you're willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.”
— Brian Tracy
