Coping with elderly patients, parents and loved ones can sometimes be a difficult task. It is not uncommon for an elderly individual to demonstrate behaviors that are out of character, and sometimes even unpleasant. Some common difficult problems that can occur are: anger, paranoia, inappropriate language, forgetfulness, neglect of personal care and hygiene, decline in cognitive abilities. While these traits can be challenging to manage, there are positive approaches that can help support your elderly loved one or patient in their aging process. There are ways to cope with some of the difficulties that may arise.
Five Challenging Behaviors and How to Deal With Them:
1. Anger and Rage
The aging process can cause some uncomfortable and difficult emotions. For some, the loss of control over their surroundings and perhaps the loss of their own bodily abilities and functions, can be unsettling and upsetting. For others, medical issues such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can cause an elderly individual to lose control over their own words, thoughts and actions.
How to help: Maintaining a calm and safe environment may help reduce the tension and anxiety the individual is feeling. Emotional connection through validation and understanding can help calm heightened emotions.
2. Feelings of Paranoia and Hallucinations
Feelings of paranoia and hallucinations can be difficult not only for the individual, but for others around them. They may claim to see things that aren’t there or may accuse others of stealing their personal possessions. These types delusions can be an indicator of problems with the individuals mental and emotional health. There could be a variety of issues causing the mental disturbances including UTI infections, medication complications or the onset of dementia.
How to help: It is important to keep a record of the abnormal behavior and see a doctor as soon as possible. Maintaining calm and honest communication can also help with the related emotions and reduce anxiety and disorientation. Delusions can be frightening. Try and be a source of comfort and care for them during these types of episodes.
3. Offensive Language
A sudden use or increased use of offensive language could be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or dementia. There may also be an increase of emotional frustrations developing from a perceived lack of independence or loss of abilities.
How to help: Seek medical assistance to check the overall health and possible side effects of medication. It could also be helpful to set firm boundaries and continue conversations about what is, and what is not, appropriate behavior.
4. Forgetfulness
Forgetfulness is a very common part of the aging process. As people get older, changes occur in all parts of the body, including the brain.
How to help: Writing down simple instructions for activities, setting timers and clocks for medication reminders or creating a simple daily checklist (or calendar) for bathing, household tasks and errands can all be helpful ways to assist someone dealing with forgetfulness. Helping in this manner also helps the person maintain a sense of independence.
5. Neglect of Hygiene and Personal Care
There could be a variety of reasons an elderly individual may resist or refuse to upkeep their personal hygiene and cleanliness. Often times, it is physically difficult to bathe, dress and toilet themselves without anyone to help. Sometimes the reason is depression and sometimes they may simply forget to tend to their basic hygiene. Some may have anxiety about their loss of independence and they may feel uncomfortable having someone else assist with hygiene needs, which is a very personal thing. How to help: Nagging and expressing frustration could be counter-productive and make things worse. Instead, it may be helpful to gently walk them through the bathing process, discussing each step as you go, etc. Creating a safe environment (installing shower bars, placing a non-slip mat on the floor, using a shower chair) could help with fears regarding safety. Therapy and medications for depression or other mental illnesses could also be helpful.
The aging process can sometimes be challenging. However, a better understanding of where this behavior stems from (whether emotional or physical), is extremely helpful. Using some of these techniques can help the caregiver cope and effectively help the person in the best way they can.
Elderlink Home Care, Inc. is available to help! We have caregivers available to meet your individual needs. To learn more about how Elderlink may be able to help you and your family, you can call our office or request a personal in-home consultation.