Funny Things Old People With Memory Problems Say

Behavior and personality often change with dementia. People with dementia often act in ways that are very different from their "old self," and these changes can be hard for family and friends to deal with. Beliefs changes for many reasons. In dementia, information technology is usually because the person is losing neurons (cells) in parts of the brain. The beliefs changes y'all see often depend on which office of the brain is losing cells.

For case, the frontal lobes are the area of the brain right backside the optics that controls our ability to focus, pay attending, be motivated and other aspects of personality. Therefore, when cells in the frontal lobes of the brain are lost, people are less able to plan and stay focused. They are often less motivated and become more than passive. The frontal lobes also control our impulses. Someone with frontal lobe deficits may act rudely or insensitively.

Dementia also alters how a person responds to their environment. A person with Alzheimer'due south disease may be forgetful and have trouble following conversations. They may become angry and frustrated because they cannot follow what is going on. Noise, conversation, crowds and action may exist over-stimulating and too difficult to procedure or sympathise. Also, many people with dementia rely on others for emotional cues. For case, if you are broken-hearted and worried, many people with dementia volition mirror your emotions and become anxious and worried.

Behavior can also change due to medical bug, such as pain or infection. A person with dementia may have a painful condition merely may exist unable to explain it or describe it. Instead, they may act out in an angry way or be less active. Urinary tract infections, constipation and poor sleep are examples of atmospheric condition that can cause sudden changes in the style a person behaves. Finally, some medications may cause changes in the fashion a person behaves.

What Y'all Can Practice

1. Consider an evaluation past the person'south health intendance provider. Sudden changes could be a sign of an infection, pain, or side outcome of a medication. Do not assume that behavior and personality changes are always due to dementia.
2. While there are medicines that may aid soften some behavior changes, medicines are not always the respond. Some behaviors cannot be "fixed" using medicine. For case, no medicine will prevent a person from pacing or wandering. Some medicines can also cause negative side furnishings and actually make things worse.
3. Call back of behavior as a form of communication. If the person with dementia acts out in an aroused or irritated way, information technology'southward a way of telling others that they may be overwhelmed, in pain, confused or frightened.
4. Try to identify what is causing the behavior modify. Was there a trigger or something that happened right beforehand? For example, was there an unexpected company that disrupted the person'due south normal routine? Does the behavior occur at bath time?
5. Consider whether the beliefs is risky and hazardous, versus annoying and frustrating. Risky and hazardous behavior might be when the person gets angry and tries to walk out of the house in an unsafe fashion. Y'all may accept to respond in an active way, such as walking with them, distracting them and and then installing locks on the door. Abrasive and frustrating behavior may require a softer response. For case, if the person paces about the firm but is calm and doesn't try to go out, it may be best to piece of work on accepting that the pacing is okay.
6. Try to create a daily routine that is structured and predictable for the person with dementia. Routine is an important source of comfort.
7. Foster an mental attitude of credence. The behavioral changes are due to real bug and are not because the person is deliberately trying to be difficult.
8. Effort to be at-home and patient. This means you will demand to accept breaks. Walk into a different room. Count to 10.
9. Talk to other caregivers. Consider a back up group where yous might learn about helpful strategies that other caregivers have used.

DICE: A Tool for Understanding & Responding to Behavior

Adapted from: Fraker J, Kales HC, Blazek M, Kavanagh J, Gitlin LN. The role of the occupational therapist in the management of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia in clinical settings. Occupational Therapy in Health Intendance. 2014;28:4-20. doi: 10.3109/07380577.2013.867468

Tips for Common Behavior and Mood Changes

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Source: https://memory.ucsf.edu/caregiving-support/behavior-personality-changes