Activities for Agitation In Late-Stage (Severe) Alzheimer’s Dementia
Agitation is a common symptom of dementia and can be distressing for both the person experiencing it and their caregivers. In the late stages, you might notice signs such as increased restlessness, shouting, pacing, aggression or rapid mood swings. There are also less obvious clues to watch for such as cries for help, tugging at sheets or clothes, or for those that are bedbound trying to get out of bed. You also might notice a general appearance of being distressed. While any one of these signs can be of concern, below are some calming activities you can implement to help minimize your loved one’s distress. (Please see links below for additional articles in this series as well as managing difficult behaviors).
Soothing Music and Sounds: In the late stage of Alzheimer's disease, expressing thoughts through conversation becomes more challenging, however individuals often still respond to music. If you've not seen "Alive Inside," it's a beautiful introduction to this topic. Filling the environment with calm, familiar songs or sounds of nature can significantly ease agitation. Researchers find notable agitation reduction when individuals listen to their favorite music. Keep a playlist of favorite old tunes during evening sundowning hours or use a music player with headphones if it helps the person focus. The rhythmic auditory stimulation provides comfort and can reduce restlessness.
Gentle Touch and Massage: The power of simple human touch is well known to have a powerful calming effect for most people. Occasionally, someone with Alzheimer's disease prefers not to be touched, so try this carefully. Choose a favored scent or unscented lotion and gently rub it on the person's hands or feet, give a light hand massage, or hug/hold the person if they are receptive. In response, the body relaxes muscle tension and reduces emotional distress signals. Best of all, this is a non-drug strategy that carries no side effects.
Empathy Agents: Human beings are naturally empathetic and want to be helpful to others. Offering an individual with Alzheimer's disease the opportunity to take care of another being can work wonders. The "empathy effect" has been seen with so-called "baby dolls," other soft plush dolls, animal robotic pets, and even small house plants. The item serves as a focus of affection and can invoke nurturing instincts, which often calm agitation and aggression. Studies on "empathy dolls" have found decreased agitated and disruptive behaviors in people with moderate to severe dementia. Choose the item carefully, as individual preferences matter greatly for this one.
Multisensory Stimulation: Creating a soothing sensory environment can help calm late-stage Alzheimer's patients when upset. It combines gentle stimulation of multiple senses – for example, dimming harsh lights and using colored lamp shades, playing soft music, introducing pleasant scents, and providing tactile objects like a soft blanket or a textured "fidget" pillow to stroke. Here's an example: create a "cozy corner" in a quiet room with a comfy chair, a softly lit lamp, a lavender aroma, a plush blanket and calming music.
*If you need recommendations on where to purchase any of the items mentioned, such as “fidget pillows” or robotic pets, please reach out to your NAN Navigator.
*For a general understanding of why moodiness is so common and how to manage it, see this article: https://nanforcaregivers.com/resources-blog/managing-difficult-behaviors
*Activities for Agitation for Early-Stage (Mild) Alzheimer’s Dementia: https://nanforcaregivers.com/resources-blog/coping-with-agitation-early-stage
*Activities for Agitation for Middle-Stage (Moderate) Alzheimer’s: Dementia: https://nanforcaregivers.com/resources-blog/coping-with-agitation
Remember, your NAN Navigator is here to support you and is available to guide you through the process.
