Home Care: How Does Behavior Change in Someone Who Has Dementia?

By Marina Pink | February 9, 2022 |

Home Care: You may be used to your elderly loved one acting a certain way.

However, if they develop dementia, the disease will change their behaviors. The number one thing to remember is that it isn’t their fault. They are not able to control what is happening to them. Sure, there are some ways that you and home care providers can help to keep your elderly loved one calm. However, as the disease gets worse, there will be more behavior changes that become more severe, as well. With this being said, learning about the behavior changes can help you to better get a handle on what is or will be happening.

Home Care in Studio City CA: Dementia Behaviors

Aggressive/Threatening Behaviors

Unfortunately, there are many senior citizens who have dementia that will become aggressive and threatening. Some of the ways that this behavior may come about include:

Yelling and screaming
Throwing things
Hitting or being physical

It can be tough to tolerate or deal with this behavior. At times, you may not even want to go over to your elderly loved one’s house. Sometimes, you can figure out what is causing the aggression (such as loud noises) and help to resolve the situation. Other times, it may be difficult to find out what is making your elderly loved one so angry. If you are having a tough time handling this behavior change, it may be a good idea to have home care providers take care of your elderly loved one more often.

Anxiety/Worry/Fear

If your elderly loved one has dementia, they may also experience anxiety, worry, and fear. They may be worried that someone is going to break into their home, even if they have security cameras. Your elderly loved one might be anxious because they have no control over what is going on. People with dementia often have many fears, too. They may seem unreasonable to you, but to your elderly loved one, they are very real.

Impulsivity

People who have dementia will become impulsive. Your elderly loved one may have already been this way a bit, but it does get worse. Some of the things that your elderly loved one may be impulsive with include:

Spending
Agreeing to change plans
Speaking without thinking

The impulsivity can be a bit difficult to handle at times. If you are having a tough time coping with their impulsive actions, you can take a step back. You can have home care providers come over and stay with your elderly loved one, so you can take care of yourself for a while.

Home Care: Conclusion

These are some of the ways that behavior changes can affect someone who has dementia. If your elderly loved one has this disease, hopefully by knowing about these changes, you can learn to cope with and handle what is happening or going to happen.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Studio City, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388

Sources

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/managing-personality-and-behavior-changes-alzheimers

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181717/

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Marina Pink

Owner at Home Care Help

Marina Pink is the Owner at Home Care Help. Home Care Help is an innovator in providing services in a caring and professional manner. We have an exceptional history, spanning twenty-three years, of providing care to people in moments that matter most. It is our utmost priority to address every need in a timely manner; and, it is our goal, above all else, to give the level of support that enables our residents to have as much independence as possible with care and respect.