We’ve all had times when we felt overwhelmed to the point of “losing it.” For me this happened when I badly injured my knee in the Alps and was alone in a hospital where no one spoke English and I didn’t know where to turn. Thank goodness I had coping skills that aided me in that situation. Persons with dementia often find themselves in confusing and upsetting situations but gradually lack the necessary coping skills to help them out. This can sometimes lead to verbally or physically aggressive behaviors. Many caregivers tell us one of the hardest things they cope with is helping people with Alzheimer’s in frustrating situations.
When you are in an aggressive situation, try to identify the immediate cause. What happened right before the reaction that may have triggered the behavior? Many factors can contribute to this type of behavior, including physical discomfort, environmental factors and poor communication. Continue reading “Caregiver Corner: Keep calm and carry on!” »
