Why Might Your Parent with Alzheimer’s Disease Exhibit Aggression and Anger?
One of the most challenging aspects of being a family caregiver for an elderly adult who is living with Alzheimer’s disease is the negative behaviors that can develop.
These behaviors can cause your parent to act in a way that does not seem like them or they can even be frightening. It is extremely important to remember that these are symptoms of the disease just like the cognitive functioning decline and memory loss and that they require dedicated care to manage them effectively and in a meaningful way.
Elder Care in Northbrook IL: Parent with Alzheimer’s
There are several different forms of negative behaviors that a senior with Alzheimer’s disease can exhibit, but one that tends to be very upsetting for family caregivers is aggression and anger.
Your parent might lash out, yell, become combative, or even throw things at you while you are trying to care for them. This can be a disorienting, shocking, and frightening experience for you, and can even make you resist caring for your parent any longer. Understanding why they might exhibit these behaviors can help to reduce this anxiety and prepare you to better handle the behaviors if they arise.
–Some things that may cause your parent to exhibit anger and aggression when dealing with Alzheimer’s disease include:
–Physical discomfort such as thirst, hunger, pain, heat, cold, or an itch that they cannot properly express. They can feel these sensations but may not understand what they mean or how to handle them, which can be frustrating and upsetting
–Medication side effects that are uncomfortable or that can worsen feelings of disorientation and confusion
-Being in an unfamiliar environment that is frightening or unpleasant for them, or feeling as though they are lost
-Being in a crowd or surrounded by people they do not know
-Being asked to do care tasks or be involved in an activity during a time of day when they are tired, hungry, or not feeling engaged with others
-Not understanding the communication between them and feeling unable to communicate with others
-Feeling confused or overwhelmed by instructions that have been given to them
-Feeling uncomfortable with something that is happening, such as afraid of the impending bath or embarrassed by being undressed
-Picking up on your stress, anger, or anxiety, and not knowing how to react to it properly
Making elderly care a part of your care routine with your aging parent can be an exceptional way to meet their needs and challenges, address their limitations, and help them to live the highest quality of life possible as they age in place.
An elderly home care services provider can offer your parent a highly personalized set of services designed specifically for your parent according to their needs as well as their opinions, goals, and preferences. This means that they will receive the support and assistance that is right for them while also encouraging a lifestyle that is independent, engaged, and fulfilling. These personalized services can include everything from safe and reliable transportation to allow your parent to handle more of their errands on their own and participate in activities outside of the home, help with activities of daily living, including keeping the home clean and healthy, assistance with personal care needs such as bathing, toileting, and grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders to keep them compliant.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elder Care in Northbrook, IL, call the caring staff at LifeCare In-Home Care and Home Health Services. Call (888) 606-4199 LifeCare serves all of the Chicago Metro Area.
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