Coping with Disinhibited and Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

* Offer a program of activities that includes more physical exercise.

* You can take the person to a different room for some privacy to masturbate if they are insistent or you think it helps.

* Do not use physical force to move or push away unless you feel you, or they, are in danger.

Alcohol can make people more disinhibited, as can some drugs, such as valium.  A doctor may need to review medications.

If you find these strategies do not work talk to your doctor. Do not carry the burden of dealing with this alone. A referral to a psychologist or health care team specializing Alzheimer's disease will be best. You need support too.

Coping with Serious Sexual Assault.

In a small number of cases inappropriate sexual behavior can be of a serious nature. Sometimes this may be because the person with Alzheimer's disease is bigger and stronger than their caregiver, other times it is because the level of confusion is so severe that the resultant inappropriate behavior can be defined as a serious sexual assault.

If the level of violence is severe and/or persistent and the person with Alzheimer's does not respond to verbal instruction or redirection then you must consider the following:

*If you believe you are in danger you must call for assistance, either from a relative or from the police.

*Make sure the environment is as safe as you can make it. Decrease clutter, increase lighting. Never have weapons in the house. Stay near the exit so you can make a quick, safe get-away.

*Involve your doctor or seek a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist or gerontologist who can do an assessment, offer appropriate treatment, help and advice. Sometimes it may be the person with Alzheimer's requires admission to hospital.

Medications are available that can be used short or long term to stop aggressive sexual behavior.