Dealing With Difficult Situations
Behavior Problems
One of the biggest struggles caregivers face is dealing with the difficult behaviors of the person they are caring for. It can be stressful to deal with strange behavior caused by Alzheimer's. And, it can also be tiring. Here are some tips that may help you cope with the most common behavior problems.
Agitation and belligerence
Some people with Alzheimer’s may seem belligerent. If this is true of your loved one, there are some steps that may help. The first step is to make sure your loved one is not angry due to pain or illness. Talk to a doctor to rule out other health conditions. Be sure to let the doctor know of sources of stress in your loved one’s life. These might include a move to a new home or sleep problems. When your loved one becomes agitated or belligerent, try to:
- Stay calm and avoid arguing.
- Reduce noise and other distractions to help your loved one focus.
- Reassure your loved one that they are safe.
- Offer your loved one a choice of relaxing activities like taking a nap or going for a short walk.
- Avoid crowding or "cornering" your loved one.
Sleep problems
When you're exhausted, sleep can't come too soon. But for someone with Alzheimer's, getting to sleep may not be easy. If your doctor says it's alright, add gentle exercise to your loved one's daily routine. It can help with sleep problems. Here are some other ideas:
- Set a calm, quiet tone in the evening to encourage sleep.
- Keep the lights dim.
- Avoid making loud noises.
- Try playing soft music.
- Stick with a bedtime routine.
Wandering
As Alzheimer's progresses, wandering and restlessness are common. To help make sure your loved one is returned home safely, put labels in their clothes with their name and your contact information. You may also consider getting a Medic Alert bracelet. If your loved one tends to wander, consider a service such as the Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return program. This program helps find people with Alzheimer's if they get lost.
To help stop wandering:
- Ask your doctor if light exercise may help your loved one sleep.
- Consider putting locks on all windows and outside doors. But, make a plan for fire safety first.
- Install a keyed deadbolt or a new lock up high or down low on the door.
- Place bells on doors to wake you if your loved one tries to leave.
- Place locks at the bottom of the door, since your loved one may not look for them there.
Hallucinations and delusions
With Alzheimer's, your loved one may suffer from hallucinations or delusions.
- Hallucinations occur when someone sees, hears, smells, tastes, or feels something that is not real.
- Delusions are false beliefs that the person believes are true.
Here are some tips that may help you deal with, or avoid, hallucinations or delusions:
- Some people with Alzheimer's confuse TV and reality. So, try to avoid violent or disturbing TV shows.
- Try distracting your loved one with a short walk.
- If you can, turn your loved one's attention to a favorite activity.
- Make sure your loved one is safe. Be sure your loved one cannot hurt themselves or others.