Cognitive decline from traumatic brain injuries or diseases such as Alzheimer's affects memory loss. It can also play a part in personality changes that affect behavior. These changes might become challenging as you try to interact with your loved one. Read on to learn more about possible behaviors that might be affected so you're better equipped to deal with them as they arise.
Aggression is a symptom that can appear in those with dementia or Alzheimer's, and it can manifest itself in either physical or verbal confrontations. There's no particular stage of cognitive decline where aggression may occur, but you may notice it in the very early stages of dementia. There are several reasons those with dementia might become aggressive, including confusion or fear as a response to hallucinations and delusions. Studies show that 90% of patients with dementia will experience aggression.
As cognitive function decreases, these aggressive outbursts can also be a secondary symptom caused by other factors, such as:
Wandering can happen at any phase of dementia. The causes include restlessness, flashbacks to old routines or becoming disoriented with the surroundings. When this happens, you may find the affected person starts wandering. To prevent this, it's important to keep your loved one who displays these symptoms in a secure environment. Other ways you can distract residents or loved ones from wandering include:
While these methods may distract for a little while, it's important to ensure they're in a safe environment if they do end up wandering. These areas may include:
Monitored surveillance is another safety feature that can help with wandering.
Sundowning manifests itself in confusion, irritability and anxiety, and it typically happens toward the end of the day. There are many things that contribute to sundowning syndrome, such as a changed environment or when the person living with dementia experiences a change in their body clock. It's possible that pain, depression or unmet needs may also have a role to play.
Potential signs you can look out for include yelling, pacing or wandering. When this happens, it's important to calm the person down and reassure them you're there to help. Speak quietly and try to distract them with a snack or favorite pastime.
Hoarding is a symptom that often develops in the early and middle stages of dementia. Those with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia may feel isolated or as if they're losing touch with their surroundings, and hoarding may give them a small sense of control. It's important you keep in regular contact with your loved ones, especially those in the early stages of dementia who still live on their own. Hoarding can lead to hygiene issues and cause health risks for the inhabitants of the property.
Maintaining autonomy is important for those with dementia. As the disease progresses, they may forget to perform daily care functions including bathing, grooming and even toilet breaks. There are many factors that may affect a person with dementia's ability to take care of themselves. These can include:
Asking for or allowing you to assist them may also be a challenge because of the private nature of these functions. You need to assure those affected that you're there to help. It's important that the person with dementia understands that these are dignified tasks and you're there to provide the best care.
One way to ensure hygiene and grooming is taken care of is to include it in a daily care plan. That way, they can expect your help, which reduces possible shame and fear.
During the middle to late stages, those with dementia might experience delusions and hallucinations. Delusions happen when there's an untrue belief that becomes the new reality — for instance, they may believe someone has stolen their items. They may also experience paranoia and become reclusive, secretive and mistrusting.
Hallucinations are when an event manifests to the person experiencing it. They're the only one experiencing the event, and no one else will see, feel or smell it.
Ways you can help deal with delusions and hallucinations include:
Memory care staff undergo special training to care for residents with dignity and understanding. They may need extra encouragement at times, as their challenging behavior is a symptom of their cognitive decline. At Bethesda Gardens Loveland, our memory care staff provides compassionate care so our residents can thrive.
