Changes in environment may lead to problems. Taking a loved one from one home to another may prove confusing. Sudden changes in location, as well as the people around them provoke not only agitation, but may lead to fear, tears and obstinate temper tantrums. Initiate such changes slowly. When more than one family member cares for an aging parent with Alzheimer's, don't disappear suddenly, but initiate the change as well as the number of people within their environment slowly and calmly.
Managing Difficult Behaviors
What may not seem difficult for a caregiver may seem an insurmountable obstacle to someone suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Something as simple as getting dressed may cause agitation, confusion, and emotional outbursts. To limit such incidents, it is often necessary for a caregiver to limit choices and to reduce stimulating factors such as a full closet or overflowing drawers to a minimum of necessities and choices.
Instructions need to be broken down into manageable steps. Saying, "Why don't you get dressed?" to someone with Alzheimer's can lead to frustration, belligerence, and downright refusal to do so. Placing one item at a time within reach of a loved one will help to alleviate the pressure of such a complicated process and relieve the stress of making such decisions.
Because someone suffering from Alzheimer's often has a difficult time speaking and understanding what is spoken to them, communicating needs is often a slow process. Speaking slowly and simply, and using physical cues such as pointing or gesturing may help to clarify, conversation, directions, and requests.
It is up to the caregiver to avoid arguments. In many cases, rephrasing a request or giving your loved one a moment or two to process the request or direction is extremely helpful. The Alzheimer's Association suggests a three-step process to manage difficult behaviors:
- Identify the behavior
- Understand the cause
- Adapt
Using one command or direction at a time often makes such tasks easier for someone suffering from Alzheimer's to understand. Writes David Carroll, in his book, When Your Loved One has Alzheimer's, "Their judgment may become impaired. They may become combative and cause physical harm. They may exhibit rapid mood swings from calm to tears to anger for no apparent reason. Their personalities may change, but not the subtle changes associated with age. They become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful."
