Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with multiple stages, and each stage has its own unique challenges. While every senior with Alzheimer’s exhibits slightly different symptoms, most go through a combative stage in which they’re constantly hostile. While the aggressiveness might seem overwhelming, there are a few steps family caregivers can take to manage the unwanted behavior in a safe and healthy manner.
Some Symptoms Are Out of Your Control
With a solid treatment plan, you can minimize many of the most difficult symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. That being said, you need to realize that some symptoms are going to be completely out of your control. When those symptoms are triggered, you must try to deescalate the situation as best you can. There are many different tactics for handling combative behavior, and you’ll need to do some experimenting to determine which strategies are going to work for you.
Combative Behavior Is Often Triggered by Pain or Discomfort
Your senior loved one is naturally going to be in a bad mood every once in a while, but if your parent seems to be particularly hostile, it may be because he or she is in pain. In the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease, it’s very difficult for seniors to communicate about something that’s bothering them, which can make them very frustrated. If your loved one seems to be angry for no reason, try to figure out if he or she is hungry or needs to use the restroom. You can also check for any signs of injury, such as bruising, swelling, or blood on his or her clothing.
The cognitive challenges that accompany Alzheimer’s often leave aging adults unable to manage everyday tasks, which puts their safety and health at risk. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of senior home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
Unusual Stimuli Can Trigger Aggressiveness
For many seniors with Alzheimer’s, certain stimuli can be very difficult to process. In the coming years, you might notice your loved one becomes agitated when he or she is around moving shadows, loud televisions, or mirrors. By removing some of those stimuli, you should be able to reduce the severity and frequency of the outbursts.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Lakewood Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Some Medications Could Help Your Loved One
While preventative measures are usually the best option for combative behavior, medication could help as well. If your loved one is being overly aggressive, you need to speak with his or her doctor about the options for medication. Some prescriptions might help your loved one relax in a matter of minutes, which could be incredibly useful if you’re out in public or the outburst is particularly severe.
Be Ready to Ask for Help
Combative behavior is one of the most difficult symptoms to manage, and you must accept the fact that you’re going to need assistance at some point. When that behavior becomes unmanageable, consider respite care. Getting some help from a team of professionals can lower your stress levels and enhance your loved one’s quality of life.
Symptoms such as agitation, confusion, anger, and frustration are common in elderly people with Alzheimer’s. The days, weeks, and months following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be challenging for both seniors and their families. However, these challenges can be made less stressful with the help of caregivers trained in professional Alzheimer’s care. Lakewood Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one enjoy the golden years while simultaneously managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Call us at (303) 987-5992 today to talk to one of our compassionate Care Managers about our high-quality Alzheimer’s home care services.