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How to Deal With Behavioral Challenges in Individuals Living With Alzheimer's Disease
from: Pat MoauroFamily and friends who act as care givers for people with Alzheimer's disease often experience a big challenge. Care giving is a full time job. The caregiver has to cope with the emotional toll of watching a loved progressively deteriorate with Alzheimer's disease.
At times, the caregiver must also deal with a patient who behaves in a distressing manner. By preparing for potential behavioral changes the caregiver will be able to deal with the behavior in the best and safest way for the patient.
Two different classes of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are cognitive deterioration and psychiatric problems. Cognitive deterioration involves the loss of memory and the ability to solve problems or complete daily activities. The cognitive deterioration is the part of Alzheimer's disease that is not treatable or reversible.
Behavioral problems are most likely to arise from psychiatric problems associated with Alzheimer's disease. The good news is that most psychiatric and behavioral issues can be treated with proper medications.
Personality changes are common in Alzheimer's patients. They may become withdrawn and isolate themselves. Or, they may become moody and irritable. These changes may be caused by depression over the diagnosis or depression/mood changes in the patient's brain chemistry.
A doctor can prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to help with low mood. Generally, patients can respond to treatment for their depression. That's why watching for the symptoms can be important to a patient's well being, even when he or she can no longer express what they're feeling.
Hallucinations sometimes occur with Alzheimer's disease, and these can be frightening for both the patient and the care giver. The patient may experience extreme fear and anxiety and exhibit signs of paranoia. Patients may also become aggressive when hallucinations are present. Patients may also become delusional. Doctors are likely to prescribe anti-psychotic drugs to alleviate hallucinations and delusions.
As well as treating behavioral problems with drugs, caregivers can help manage patients' behavior by using a few techniques. Establishing a simple routine and sticking to it can provide a sense of stability. Reminding patients of basic, daily facts, such as the month, the year, the town in which they live, and so on, also helps provide a feeling of security. Maintain a calm tone of voice and if the patient becomes agitated, it may help to play music.
Keep a journal of things that might trigger behavioral problems. A new person, a change in routine, a certain food, a certain medication, or any number of things may create a feeling of uncertainty for an Alzheimer's patient, causing the person to lash out.
Make sure the patient's home is "Alzheimer's friendly." Label drawers and cupboards, keep a list of numbers by the phone, and post reminders around the house. Keep safety in mind, ensuring that patients can't wander away on their own, turn on the gas on the stove, or be faced with other potential dangers.
Most importantly, when dealing with an Alzheimer's patient with behavioral problems remember to have an outlet for your own anxiety and frustrations away from the patient. Acting as a caregiver involves extreme responsibility, and can be a thankless task. However, if the patient sees your frustration or senses your anxiety, this will only cause the person further distress, and increase the likelihood of behavioral problems.
Reach out to a doctor for help in regulating behavior and possibly putting the patient on medication to deal with any psychiatric issues. The local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association can provide additional recommendations for dealing with behavioral problems and tips for establishing a safe home and steady routine for Alzheimer's patients.
Sometimes behavioral problems associated with Alzheimer's can become overwhelming and too much for one caregiver to deal with. For the caregiver's safety, and the safety of the patient, the caregiver must reach out for additional help when it's needed. Even if the patient might have to stay in a nursing facility, it's important to realize that Alzheimer's is a progressive disease and one person isn't meant to carry the entire burden of care giving.
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