Thursday, 30 October 2014

3 Difficult Alzheimer’s Behaviours

Alzheimer’s can be a distressing and confusing time for everyone as destructive behaviours can cause stress and embarrassment. It is important to remember however that this is not within control of the patient. Understanding that your role as a carer is to stay calm for the sake of both you and the patient will go a long way in learning to effectively deal with these difficult situations as they arise, and improve communication thereby possibly lessening the severity of the episodes.

These are three common situations you may be faced with:

Repetitive behaviour

Asking the same question over and over again is a definite sign of anxiety possibly fuelled by insecurity. Instead of always responding with the same answer, try and help the person determine the answer themselves. If they are anxious about an upcoming event, like a doctor’s visit or a visitor arriving, it may help to not mention it until just before it occurs. People with Alzheimer’s feel much more secure if they live by as strict a routine as possible.

Restlessness

Restlessness can become a big problem for carers of those with Alzheimer’s, as patients are usually affected at night. It is common for elderly people to need less sleep at night, but this - coupled with Alzheimer’s - often leads to wandering and anxiety, resulting in disrupted sleep of a carer who is at risk of fatigue and burnout. A few ways to try and promote a more restful night’s sleep is to ensure that the patient gets enough exercise during the day, and does not drink too many liquids before bed.

Suspicion

Some people with Alzheimer’s react to loss of memory and uncertainty of places and people with suspicion. If they mislay an object they may accuse their carer of stealing it, or become convinced that people are plotting against them. This can be very upsetting for a carer, but stay calm and reassure the person, keeping in mind that this is the disease talking and not the patient. Distraction may help in some cases.

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