By Carol Church, Writer, Family Album
Reviewed by Suzanna Smith, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida
More than 15 million Americans today are providing unpaid care for loved ones with dementia. Though this relationship is often one of great tenderness and love, it can also be quite difficult. One especially challenging experience occurs when people with dementia have incidents of aggressive or combative behavior.
Such events are relatively common; one recent study estimates that aggression is seen in 30 to 50% of dementia patients. These episodes occur as a result of changes in brain functioning. However, they are a major cause of stress for caregivers, who are understandably upset when they occur.
To understand this behavior, it’s important to consider possible causes. Check with a medical provider to see if unexpressed physical pain or medication side effects may be to blame. Fatigue, overstimulation, hunger, and thirst are also common triggers. Depression, which is very common in those with dementia, can also make these outbursts more likely.
Caregivers may be able to defuse or prevent aggression by shifting the focus to another activity, communicating simply and clearly, and staying calm. Keeping to daily routines and maintaining an orderly and familiar environment may also help. It’s also crucial to be gentle and respectful in personal care situations, such as bathing; sometimes, the care receiver may misinterpret these situations as a violation.
While medication may sometimes be needed to control aggression, it can have serious side effects, so it’s best to try other management methods first. Visit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and the Alzheimer’s Association for more valuable tips on preventing aggression in loved ones with dementia.
More Resources from the University of Florida
AlzOnline–Support for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s from the University of Florida.
(Image credit: Stories by Ricky Norris. CC license.)
References:
Alzheimer’s Association. (2013a). Aggression and anger. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-aggression-anger.asp
Alzheimer’s Association. (2013b). Depression and Alzheimer’s. Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-depression.asp
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. (2013). Behavioral challenges: Coping with…anger and aggression. Retrieved from http://www.alzfdn.org/EducationandCare/anger.html
Cipriani, G., Vedovello, M., Nuti, A., & Di Fiorino, M. (2011). Aggressive behavior in patients with dementia: Correlates and management. Geriatrics and Gerontology International, 11, 408-413. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0594.2011.00730.x
Majic, T., et al. (2012). Correlates of agitation and depression in nursing home residents with dementia. International Psychogeriatrics, 24 (11), 1179-1789. doi:10.1017/S104161021200066X
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