April 11, 2025
Dementia brings a lot of big changes to families. As the condition gets gradually worse, seniors with dementia exhibit some behaviors that seem strange to other people. Eventually, those behaviors can even become frustrating for family caregivers to manage. Addressing needs, paying attention to emotional changes, and watching for other possible issues can help a lot. Alzheimer’s care providers can help families learn more about managing these dementia behaviors so that everyone has a better experience.
Anxiety is a common issue for seniors with dementia, which can manifest as repeating questions or statements as a way to seek reassurance. Combined with memory issues, this can become frustrating for family caregivers when they’re repeating the same information throughout the day. Using notes and written reminders gives seniors something concrete they can look at when they need the same information multiple times.
Elder care providers who understand dementia and how to care for seniors with dementia are an invaluable source of support for family caregivers. They can help families understand what types of behaviors to expect and why those behaviors tend to occur. From there, experienced Alzheimer’s care providers can help families put plans in place to support their seniors with dementia in such a way to reduce the frustrating dementia behaviors as much as possible.
Meeting new people or going somewhere new can be disorienting events for seniors with dementia. This can trigger wandering or repetitive behaviors. Timing these events carefully, like avoiding late afternoon appointments because sundowning can be a contributing factor, makes a big difference. Preparing seniors beforehand also helps.
A common trigger for behaviors family caregivers find frustrating is often an unmet need. This is often a basic need, like needing the bathroom or feeling hungry. Seniors with dementia may not understand the triggers for these needs in the same ways that they did in the past and so they wander or engage in other behaviors. Careful scheduling of meals and bathroom breaks, as just a couple of examples, helps families to be proactive about meeting these basic needs.
Sometimes seniors with dementia exhibit frustrating behaviors because they’re worried or afraid, even of normal daily activities. Bathing is a common issue, for instance. Seniors with dementia may believe they don’t need a shower or bath yet and therefore resist bathing. Frequently these changes occur because seniors feel less safe while bathing than they did before. Alzheimer’s care providers can help seniors stay safe while in the tub and can ease them through the process with dignity.
It might also be a good idea to consider overnight care for seniors with dementia. Sleep issues are common and this can take a toll on family caregivers when their sleep is consistently interrupted. Alzheimer’s care providers can help with overnight wakeups and ensure that seniors with dementia stay safe and get back to bed without disturbing family caregivers.
Frustrating behaviors may be common with dementia, but family caregivers can still get help to make the situation easier to manage. Alzheimer’s care providers can help families decode what might be behind these behaviors so that seniors with dementia get the support they need to be and feel safer.
