Often there are aggressive, physical, or verbal behaviors with dementia. These behaviors are often the single stimuli that cause a family to reach out for help. The individual with dementia has been managed with the tools that the family has available to them, but when the behavior manifests the existing tools are no longer effective. The family is concerned about the safety of the senior as well as the caregiver. They now realize that they must reach out for help and resources beyond their skills set.
Why the behavior with dementia? The answer is we don't know for certain. We do know that the well-established brain boundaries with checks and balances are commonly no longer functional because of the diseased brain. As with any disease process, the symptoms of dementia depends on the individual. The area of the brain that is diseased is unique, and this impacts on whether there are behaviors.
The actions are most commonly aggressive. The brain can no longer filter and screen internal and external stimuli. Individuals with dementia are not children, but their behaviors are often child-like. It is frustrating for the caregiver because they expect them to behave like an adult. The caregiver is functioning in a rational place, but the individual with dementia is not thinking rationally because of their brain disease.
Trying to have a normal conversation with a senior with dementia often exacerbates the behaviors of the individual. They are unable to process the information, and this inability to process the input is distressing. The behavior then manifests into distress.
The behaviors of dementia are often stressful and upsetting to the family and the person with dementia. Recognizing that they may be a typical outcome of the diseased brain is the first step in helping to address them.
Are you caring for someone with dementia? There are tools and resources available to you. Please contact me for more information about common behaviors associated with dementia.