People with Alzheimer’s sometimes become combative, and while this behavior is typically associated with the disease’s late stages, it sometimes occurs in those who have early-stage Alzheimer’s. Seniors with Alzheimer’s who are combative may hit, push, or grab people. Here are some things you should know if your aging loved one with Alzheimer’s is displaying combative behavior.
Confusion & Discomfort Can Be Triggers
Two of the most common causes of combative behavior in those with Alzheimer’s are confusion and memory loss. Your loved one may be unaware you’re trying to help and feel threatened when you approach him or her, resulting in aggressive and combative behavior. Another trigger for combativeness is discomfort. If your loved one has had an incontinence accident and needs to be cleaned up, he or she may become combative. Similarly, if your parent is hungry, too hot or too cold, in pain, or has an infection, combative behaviors may occur.
The cognitive challenges that accompany Alzheimer’s often leave aging adults unable to manage everyday tasks, which puts their safety and health at risk. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of home care service. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
Music Can Be Soothing
People with Alzheimer’s, even those in the combative stage, often remember their favorite songs from “way back when.” It’s thought that the area of the brain that stores music memories is one of the last regions to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease. At the first sign of combative behavior, sing one of your loved one’s favorite songs or play music on a radio, smartphone, or laptop. If you have a record player, ask your loved one to pick out some of his or her favorite records to listen to. Listening to music can defuse a volatile situation, and it may also change your loved one’s mood from angry to happy.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading Montgomery elderly home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Routines Are Important
Seniors who are in the combative stage of Alzheimer’s disease may become agitated and aggressive when their routines are disrupted. Straying from familiar routines can be stressful for those with Alzheimer’s because of their inability to handle unexpected situations. If you’ll need to deviate from a familiar routine, make sure to explain the new situation in great detail. For example, your loved one may become aggressive if you ask him or her to take a bath instead of a shower. Since the bathing process is different from the showering process, explain each step as you go along so your loved one knows what to expect.
Medication May Help
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, your efforts to redirect your loved one’s attention and defuse volatile situations may be less effective. Discuss your concerns with your parent’s physician, who may prescribe medication to help your loved one handle negative moods so combative behaviors are less likely to occur. A low dose of anti-anxiety medication may eliminate racing thoughts that can quickly escalate into combativeness and aggressive behaviors.
Symptoms such as agitation, confusion, anger, and frustration are common in elderly people with Alzheimer’s. The days, weeks, and months following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be challenging for both seniors and their families. However, these challenges can be made less stressful with the help of caregivers trained in professional Alzheimer’s care. Montgomery Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one enjoy the golden years while simultaneously managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (334) 593-3988 to learn more about our high-quality home care services.