What Physical Issues Could Cause Anger and Aggression in a Senior with Alzheimer’s?

By Andy Niska | December 30, 2016 |

Home Care in Airway Heights WA

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the greatest challenges that you can face as a family caregiver for your elderly parent. During this progression your parent will experience a wide range of symptoms, challenges, and limitations and it is your responsibility to help them to cope with these in the best way possible for their needs. One of the most challenging symptoms that your elderly parent might demonstrate is anger and aggression. These can be frightening and you may not immediately understand what is happening or what you should do about it. By evaluating what they might be going through and what could be contributing to this behavior can help you to respond to your senior in the best way for them.

Sometimes anger and aggression are caused by physical issues. Elderly adults with Alzheimer’s disease lose the ability to communicate effectively, which means that they might not be able to tell you what they are going through or what they are feeling. They may also not be able to process what they need or how to handle it. For example, your parent might know that they have a physical sensation but not understand what exactly that sensation means, what they can do to address it, or even that they can resolve it. This means that you need to be vigilant about their condition and well-being so that you can do what you need to do to help them avoid anger and aggression related to physical issues.

Some of the physical issues that might cause anger and aggression in a senior with Alzheimer’s disease include:

Hunger. Being hungry can be a strange and upsetting sensation for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease. Maintain a schedule of meals and snacks to help your parent stay satiated and avoid hunger pangs.
Thirst. Your parent might know that they feel something but not be able to interpret it as thirst or know that they need to drink something to ease that feeling. Encourage your parent to sip water throughout the day and to eat foods high in fluids to keep them properly hydrated.
Pain. Pain is another symptom that your parent might feel but not fully understand. Evaluate if they have an injury or irritation, such as a cut, bruise, wound, or scrape, or if they are feeling ill. If they are in a wheelchair, make sure that they have adequate padding and move around as much as possible to relieve pressure and reduce the risk of injury.
Tiredness. Being tired is upsetting for anyone, but for an elderly adult who is dealing with Alzheimer’s disease it can be frustrating and overwhelming. Discourage your parent from doing too much in a day, keep up with their sleep patterns, and be aware of signals that tell you they are feeling tired so that you can stop an activity and head home for rest.

Starting home care for your aging parent as they progress through Alzheimer’s disease can be one of the most beneficial decisions that you can make for them as their family caregiver. An in-home senior care services provider can be with your aging loved one on a customized schedule tailored not just to your parent’s needs and challenges, but also their goals and the level of care that you are able to give them yourself. This means that you are kept at the forefront of their care, but they receive all of the care, support, encouragement, and assistance that they need on a regular basis to stay healthy, happy, comfortable, and as independent as possible as they progress through the disease. When it comes to challenging symptoms such as anger, this care provider can help to identify the cause of the anger, ensure that your parent’s needs are met in order to reduce the chances of angry episodes, and provide the support that they need to remain safe and get past the anger on to a healthier state of mind.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home Home Care in Airway Heights, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

Source: https://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-aggression-anger.asp

Author
Recent Posts

Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.