6 Causes of Anger in Older Adults with Dementia

Many seniors maintain positive attitudes, but elderly individuals with dementia may exhibit more aggression. Managing anger can make caregiving difficult, especially when your aging loved one refuses to do specific tasks, such as eating or exercising. Continue reading to learn about the causes of anger in seniors with dementia and tips to use when addressing each situation.

1.Muscle Pain

In many instances, aging adults with dementia use anger as a substitute emotion. For example, they could be in pain but lash out to redirect their attention. In these situations, see if your loved one needs to move to a more comfortable area of the home, or look for other pain remedies, such as heating pads, ice packs, or medications.

2.Hunger

Seniors need to fuel their bodies with food to maintain optimal functioning. When they don’t meet their nutritional needs, seniors could experience crankiness, sadness, and anger. However, living with dementia can make it difficult to chew and swallow. Mealtimes can also cause seniors with dementia to be disoriented. In these situations, consider serving softer foods and liquids or limit portion sizes to make meals less overwhelming.  Symptoms such as agitation, confusion, anger, and frustration are common in elderly people with dementia. Even when families have the best intentions, caring for a senior loved one with dementia can be challenging. Fortunately, Home Care Assistance is here to help. We are a leading provider of dementia care. Arlington families can take advantage of our flexible and customizable care plans, and our caregivers always stay up to date on the latest developments in senior care.

3.Disconnect

Aging adults with dementia often disconnect themselves from family and friends, and it can leave them feeling hopeless and angry. Instead of taking on projects that boost their mental and emotional health, seniors may withdraw from activities out of embarrassment or due to poor decision-making skills. Boredom could cause hostility and anger. Your parent should consider speaking with a counselor or joining a dementia support group to manage these mental and emotional problems.

4.Fatigue

Treatments and various dementia symptoms can disrupt a senior’s sleep-wake cycle. Without adequate sleep, your loved one’s body won’t be able to relax or remove dangerous toxins, and this could prevent him or her from waking up feeling refreshed and energized. To prevent moodiness and irritability caused by fatigue, your loved one should develop a proper bedtime routine and avoid foods, activities, and background distractions that keep him or her up at night. The cognitive challenges that accompany dementia often leave aging adults unable to manage everyday tasks, which can put their safety and health at risk. Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.

5.Side Effects of Medication

Most elderly people take at least one prescription, but it’s common for seniors with dementia to take multiple medications. The side effects of the medicine could increase the risk of mood swings. Monitor your loved one when he or she takes medications to determine if the prescriptions are a factor. If so, ask your loved one’s primary care physician about alternative treatment options.

6.Loss of Recognition

Forgetting familiar people, places, and things could upset your loved one and cause him or her to react aggressively. Decreasing memory can also lead to emotional problems. Your parent might also fear the condition is progressing at a fast rate. To prevent combative behavior, find ways to help your loved one trigger memories, such as placing note cards around the house, going through picture albums, and watching home videos. Caring for a loved one with dementia is a challenging task for anyone. The responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but help is available. Families looking for top-rated Arlington in-home care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. If you need professional home care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (817) 591-1580.