Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are neurodegenerative diseases that cause damage or loss of nerve cells in the brain. Those affected by these conditions experience cognitive decline that can impact thinking, reasoning, problem solving, memory, and their ability to effectively communicate with others. Their behaviors may also change as they are likely to become more anxious and irritable and they may have difficulty managing daily tasks and self-care.

All forms of dementia are degenerative which means the symptoms will continue to get worse as the disease progresses. Issues such as depression, paranoia, hallucinations, and aggressiveness will become more severe which may cause family members to get increasingly frustrated by their loved one’s anxious behavior, lack of rationality, and inability to communicate their thoughts and feelings. The personality and behavioral changes in people struggling with Alzheimer’s and dementia make it seem like they’re not the same person anymore and leave loved ones disheartened and unsure of how to deal with the situation.

If you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, then you know how difficult it is to provide them with the care and support they need and communicate with them effectively. Understanding the common behaviors of dementia and how to best communicate with those affected can lessen these difficulties, reducing the stress of caregiving and improving their quality of life.

Know What to Expect – Common Changes in Personality and Behavior of a Person with Alzheimer’s Disease

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you and your family should learn as much about their condition as possible. Ask their doctor and do some research to understand how the condition progresses and can impact the cognitive functioning of the affected individual. This will help you and your family communicate with them more effectively and provide better care.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia cause damage to and the loss of brain cells which impairs the affected individual’s memory and their ability to process information, make decisions, and manage their emotions. In general, these conditions drastically change how those affected think and act. The following are the most common personality and behavioral changes you may witness in a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia:

• Extreme anxiety about daily life – repeating information, asking for confirmation several times, preparing for appointments well ahead of time, etc.
• Inability to stay focused and coherent during conversations and events – getting easily distracted, jumping from one topic to another, telling the same story and asking the same questions repeatedly, etc.
• Distrust of others – hiding things or believing that others are stealing from them, lying to them, etc.
• Poor judgment – falling for scams, giving away money, trusting strangers, etc.
• Difficulty keeping track of time
• Uncertainty and confusion in familiar surroundings
• Apathy or loss of interest in hobbies and activities they used to enjoy
• Frequent agitation
• Unreasonable fears, anxiety, and/or depression
• Memory loss, delusions, hallucinations, and untrue beliefs
• Inability to take care of themselves – not caring about how they look, going for days without bathing, wearing the same clothes every day, etc.

It may be frustrating and difficult to understand why people with Alzheimer’s behave the way they do, but it is important to remember that their behaviors are caused by the way this condition alters their brain. You should empathize with your loved ones and approach them with compassion to help reduce anxiety, prevent conflicts, and ensure their comfort and well-being.

Discuss the Disease with the Affected Individual and Your Family

If you believe you are noticing signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia in your senior loved ones, do not hesitate to discuss it with them and the rest of your family as soon as you get some sense of changes in your loved one’s ability to remember things or in their behavior. Talk to the person in a calm and supportive manner and reassure them that you and all the other family members are there for them.

Keep in mind that warm communication matters a lot to people with Alzheimer’s – it makes them feel loved and appreciated and shows them that they’re not alone. It is, therefore, important to know how to talk to a loved one with Alzheimer’s so that they understand what they need to know and see that you care for them:

• Provide a positive and supportive environment – limit distractions, sit close to your loved one (be sure to position yourself at their level), smile warmly, keep eye contact with them during the conversation, keep your voice calm and soothing, etc.
• Speak simply and clearly – say things one at a time, use short sentences and simple words, pause between sentences, repeat or rephrase when necessary, etc.
• Encourage your loved one to share their thoughts and feelings – give the senior time to think and speak at their own pace, ask supportive questions, do not interrupt them while talking, ask them to share stories from their childhood, recount happy memories, etc.
• Avoid confusions – refrain from asking too many questions and avoid complicated questions altogether, give your loved one simple choices, refer to people by name, etc.
• Prevent conflicts – do not argue with your loved one, don’t preach or accuse, don’t treat them like a child, don’t talk about them as if they’re not there, try not to show your frustration or anger, use humor when you can, etc.
• Use physical contact to get your loved one’s attention, convey your feelings, and provide reassurance.
• Be kind, patient, and compassionate.

A person with Alzheimer’s may no longer be able to accurately interpret verbal or non-verbal cues, but an affectionate conversation is sure to ease their anxieties and make them feel connected to their loved ones.

Develop Coping Strategies for Dealing with a Loved One Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease

The changes in personality and behavior brought on by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia cannot be stopped or reversed, but family members and caregivers can learn to cope with them so they can still connect with their loved ones and provide effective care and support.

Here are some strategies that can help you and your family cope with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia affecting a loved one:

1. Set Realistic Goals

As much as you may want to help the situation, things will not always be perfect. Your loved one will get upset and agitated at times and you will encounter unavoidable confusion and conflicts. Setting unrealistic expectations and striving for perfection as your loved one struggles with Alzheimer’s will only lead to feelings of exhaustion and frustration. It is important to accept that perfection is unattainable, and the best you can do is ensure that your loved one is always safe, calm, and comfortable.

2. Develop Predictable Routines and Schedules

Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia benefit greatly from routine. A set daily routine provides a sense of security and comfort – knowing what to expect at every time of the day and when a certain activity is going to take place helps eliminate confusion and frustration for your loved one and makes them feel safe and calm.

3. Anticipate Misunderstanding and Misinterpretation

Those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia may have difficulty expressing their thoughts and desires as well as interpreting the words and actions of others. Be patient when communicating with them and break up information into small pieces by giving instructions one at a time. Use words and phrases the person is familiar with, avoid confusing pronouns and figures of speech, try to be as clear and concise as possible, repeat things as needed, and use physical contact and body language to make it easier for your loved one to understand. Do not get offended or angry if the person says something inappropriate or gets you wrong – try to explain yourself more clearly and provide reassurance to your loved one.

4. Focus on the Feelings Behind Your Loved One’s Words and Actions

It is important to remember that when people with Alzheimer’s are shouting or lashing out, they do not mean any harm. They are simply trying to convey a message that they can no longer explain in words. You must learn to see the world through your loved one’s eyes and respond to the “feeling” behind the behavior rather than the behavior itself.

5. Turn to the Past

You should always remember who your loved one was before the disease and try to reach that person. Memories from the distant past are not usually affected so it is possible to reach your loved one’s true self when talking about people, places, and experiences from the past. You can watch family videos and look at old photographs together and ask your loved one to share stories with family members, coworkers, and friends, etc. This is fun for everyone and helps your loved one feel connected.

6. Find Activities Your Loved One Enjoys

Engaging those with dementia in their favorite activities is highly beneficial for their happiness and well-being. When thinking of fun activities to do with your loved ones, consider what they enjoyed doing before becoming affected by dementia as well as what abilities they still possess. Try to think of activities that are appropriate, achievable, and enjoyable for your loved one. Keep in mind that trying to learn new things or starting new hobbies may be frustrating or overwhelming for your loved one, so it’s important to stick to familiar activities. It is especially valuable to find activities that you can enjoy together – going for walks, reviewing old photos, etc.

Good to remember: Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease neither you nor your loved one can control, you need to recognize and accept the many aspects of the situation that are not in your control and focus on the things you can successfully manage. Keep in mind that your loved one’s symptoms and needs will change over time, so a successful intervention at one stage may not be as successful at another. Your approach to the situation must evolve as the disease progresses.

Bonus Tips for Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease

• Make sure your loved one eats regularly and has a healthy and nutritious diet.
• Modify the home environment to limit your loved one’s exposure to potentially dangerous situations including installing grab bars in risky areas, making sure all stairways have railings, applying anti-slip coatings to the flooring, ensuring proper illumination throughout the home, etc.
• Do not argue or try to reason with your loved one. If there is a disagreement, drop the subject and take the conversation in a new direction. Contradicting the person directly, no matter how wrong they may be, is only going to make them anxious, upset, or angry and will do neither of you any good.
• Don’t ignore your loved one. They can remember emotions even after they forget the actual event that caused those emotions, so your actions and words matter. Never talk about your loved ones as if they’re not there and don’t dismiss their worries or neglect their feelings. Include your loved one in regular everyday conversations, even if it they do not respond – this will help them keep their sense of identity and self-worth and reduce feelings of exclusion and isolation.
• Engage your loved ones in mentally stimulating activities such as puzzles, word games, card games, and more.
• Use methods of communication beyond speaking to reach them including reading aloud, singing, dancing, listening to music, etc.
• Learn to recognize what your loved one is communicating through their body language.
• Always treat your loved ones with respect and compassion.
• Do not be afraid to recognize when you have reached your limit. You can ask other family members to help provide care and hire a professional caregiver to look after your loved ones. Our caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care provide specialized memory care for seniors with dementia to help ensure their safety and comfort.

However committed and compassionate a person may be, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is demanding and can be exhausting. It is normal for family caregivers to feel frustrated, helpless, and depressed as they witness a loved one turning into a shadow of their former self.

By working with a home care professional like Assisting Hands Home Care to provide dementia care, you can take a lot of stress off of your family and improve the quality of life for your loved ones. Our experienced caregivers will not only provide effective personal care and assistance for your loved ones with Alzheimer’s and dementia but also offer emotional support and friendly companionship.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care from Assisting Hands

 

At Assisting Hands Home Care, we provide Alzheimer’s and dementia care to help seniors affected by Alzheimer’s and all forms of dementia live safely and comfortably in their own homes. We take the time to evaluate your loved one’s care needs and their condition so we can develop a care plan that perfectly suits the needs and preferences of your loved ones and your family. Our experienced caregivers show compassion and respect to the elderly and engage them in enjoyable activities, interesting conversations, and mind-stimulating games to keep them mentally challenged and socially active.

If you have a family member in the Schaumburg, Palatine, Hoffman Estates, or Elk Grove Village, IL, area who suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. Give us a call at (847) 448-0844 to learn more about how our professional caregivers can help ensure that your loved ones with dementia receive the best possible care at home.