Tips to Manage the Concealed Elements of Dementia: Aggression and Anxiety

Scientists have gauged that about 7.4% of Indians aged 60 years and above are diagnosed with dementia. This accounts for about 8.8 million Indians with dementia.

Dementia is a medical term referring to the loss of memory, decision-making, language, and thinking abilities that impart a significant influence on the elderly’s daily life. Damage to the brain cells is the primitive cause of memory loss disorders like Dementia. This damage affects the communication between the brain cells. The changes that arise in the brain cells trigger shifts in one’s feelings, behavior, cognitive ability, and functional performance.

Dementia causes elders to showcase negative behaviors and feelings such as anger, depression, aggression, and anxiety. Anxiety and depression emerge due to different reasons and can be challenging to handle. When elders become anxious they become restless, pace around, and become upset over specific things or situations. When they turn aggressive they may be shouting, verbally abusive, irritated, and restless. Dementia care for elders should cover treating their condition and the negative symptoms that arise due to the condition. 

Common Causes

The reason behind aggression and anxiety in elders could vary between individuals. The emotional toll that pops with cognitive decline or the condition itself can pave the way to such negative feelings. There are different types of dementia and people display different behaviors depending on the type. The frontal part of the brain is responsible for impulse control, judgment, personality, and empathy. The damage caused to these cells triggers impulsive behaviors and emotional imbalances. 

●     Loss of Recognition: The inability to recognize family members or loved ones creates a sense of fear and anxiety in elders. For dementia elders, even their beloved ones like spouses or children may seem to be a stranger.

●     Reality Distortions: Seniors with dementia might also experience distortions in reality that can be challenging to handle. Paranoia, hallucination, and delusion are experienced by some older adults.

●   Reduced Food Consumption: Studies have depicted that eating behaviors get modified in people with dementia. Inadequate nutrition can spurt emotional outbursts and aggressive behaviors in elders.

●    Misapprehension: Communication ability is affected in elders with dementia. They may be unable to understand what their family member or caregiver says. Sometimes there could be conflicts due to the elder’s misinterpretation.

●    Catastrophic reactions: Reacting in an inappropriate way and with rage to normal situations refers to a catastrophic reaction. This is usually triggered by the care they receive. At times, the frustration and anger the caregiver experiences is picked up by the elder even without the caregiver verbalizing it. This tunes in anger and aggression in them.

●     Sleeplessness: Inadequate rest or poor sleep can also stimulate such impulsive behaviors.

●     Physical discomfort: Loss of cognitive functioning disables the senior to identify or understand the cause of physical pain or discomfort. This may lead to them showing physical aggression. The physical discomfort could be due to medication side effects, poor food intake, or disturbed sleep. Hence identifying and ruling out the cause of physical pain is important.

●   Environmental factors: Being surrounded by a crowded, noisy place with many unfamiliar people around can be hyper-stimulating for elders with dementia.

 

Tips for Coping with Aggression and Anxiety

Elders in general may require comprehensive care and attention. While taking care of seniors with dementia who are feeling anxious and aggressive can be a mountain to climb. The space below sheds light on tips to handle aggression and anxiety in elders with dementia. 

●       Try to spot and identify the causes that trigger such reactions in them.

●       Initiate strategies to rule out physical pain that triggers aggressive behaviors.

●    Structure a daily routine that helps them to stay engaged and gives them a feeling of having control over their life.

●     Overlook their emotional outbursts and focus on their feelings and the reason behind their action or words.

●       Sometimes the elders may feel their personal space is being invaded. It is good to let them have their space and spend time by themselves on some days.

●       Speak in a soft, gentle manner. Be all ears to their concerns and frustrations.

●       Avoid arguing with the person. This may only trigger more aggression in them.

●       Spread positivity. Reassure the elders that they are safe and will be cared for at all times.

●       Give them adequate time to complete their tasks.

●       Maintain a comfortable environment for them. Keep the noise down in their surrounding.

●       Most elders function better during a particular time of the day. So it is advisable to get them to perform important tasks during their active time of the day.

●      Shifting their focus to another activity immediately can reduce anxiety and impulsive behaviors.

●       Keep photographs and objects that the person may feel happy to see around.

●   Ensure the person eats adequate, nutritious foods to prevent the consequences of inadequate nutrition.

●     Music therapy for seniors can be relaxing and a good distraction for elders. Other relaxation techniques like yoga, reading, massages, and going for walks can aid to lighten their mood.

●       Be sure to keep safety in check. Maintain a safe distance from the elders.

●       Stay clear of harmful, sharp objects in their presence to prevent harming themselves and others.

●      Seek professional help when the situation gets out of hand. A mental health specialist can help to manage in a better way. 

To Sum Up

People with dementia could display gear shifts in their behavior. At times their anxiety turns into anger and they become aggressive. Athulya Dementia Care is proficient at extending research-based professional care and support for elders. Athulya Assisted Living incorporates relevant, personalized interventions to help elders with dementia to deal with such challenging behaviors. To gain further details, visit our homepage AthulyaAssisted Living.