If you’ve ever visited a memory care community, you know it’s not all Bingo and bingo nights. Oftentimes, the residents are dealing with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, which means they’re likely to act out in ways you may find confusing or upsetting. But don’t worry! The care team at these senior-friendly memory care communities in Mandeville, LA, have seen it all before, and they know exactly how to handle destructive behaviors in Alzheimer’s patients. Here are some of their most effective strategies for handling behavioral issues:
They Know There’s A Reason Behind It
The first step in handling lousy behavior is to acknowledge that there’s a reason for it and that you can’t change how your loved one behaves unless you understand why they behave this way. This is especially true when dealing with those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Sometimes they will become combative because they’re feeling frustrated; other times, their anger might be rooted in fear or anxiety; still, other times, they may need some extra attention or reassurance-and it’s up to you as their caregiver (or family member) to figure out which one of these scenarios applies here so that you can help provide them with what they need most at this time.
In either case (or any other), caregivers and family members need to understand that these behaviors aren’t malicious or intended to upset others; rather than focusing on how frustrating or embarrassing the situation may feel in the moment, try looking deeper into why this happened in order better address future incidents like this one.
They Have A Plan Of Action
It’s important to have a plan of action when dealing with bad behaviors in Alzheimer’s patients. A memory care community that employs the right staff and has an established protocol will be able to handle these situations more easily than one that is unprepared.
The team at a memory care community are trained on how to handle these situations, so they know what steps they need to take for things to go smoothly and remain safe for residents and employees alike. Sometimes, it’s as simple as asking them if they’re hungry or thirsty–or maybe even reminding them. Sometimes, though, there are more serious issues at hand, and it becomes necessary for team members (and/or family members) to step in and intervene before things get out of control.
They’re Prepared For Behavioral Changes
You might have heard a lot about the behavioral changes that come with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s not uncommon for patients to get angry, agitated or frustrated with their caregivers and other residents at this stage of their lives. While it can be upsetting to see your loved one acting out in this way, it’s important to remember that they aren’t doing it on purpose and that there are ways you can help them feel better about themselves and their surroundings, so they don’t feel so overwhelmed by the circumstances surrounding them.
Memory care communities address this issue by providing secure areas where wandering patients can go when they get upset or agitated. These areas are often equipped with alarms that alert team members when someone has entered them, so they can check on the patient and ensure everything is okay.
They also use positive reinforcement and rewards to encourage good behavior. If a resident misbehaves or becomes agitated, the caregiver will try to figure out why and then address it by adjusting their routine or environment. For example, if you notice that your mother always becomes agitated when she sees another patient who reminds her of someone else, you can ask the care team to help avoid this situation.
They Understand Your Loved One’s Triggers And Routines
A good memory care community will understand your loved one’s triggers and routines. For example, if you have a spouse who likes to watch television every night at 8 p.m., the caregivers should be able to accommodate this behavior by ensuring they have access to a TV in their room. If your father has always gotten up at 6:30 AM for work, then it’s important that he can still do so even though he may not be working anymore.
If your loved one has certain routines that are important to him or her-such as eating breakfast every morning at 7AM-and these routines are disrupted by something unexpected (such as an appointment), then it could lead to an episode of frustration or anger from your parent/spouse.
They Create A Safe, Interactive Environment
Memory care communities are designed to be safe, secure, and engaging. Their unique features help residents feel at ease and comfortable in their surroundings. These features include:
- Sensory stimulation – The Alzheimer’s Association recommends using various sensory stimulation techniques to help stimulate the brain and improve memory function. Examples include aromatherapy, music therapy, pet therapy, and massage therapy. These activities can be used to help patients remember past experiences or connect with the present moment by making them feel more relaxed when they engage in these activities.
- Interacting with others – An important part of living in a memory care communityis interacting with other residents with similar challenges, so you don’t feel alone during this difficult time in your life. Additionally, having daily interactions with team members will give you something new every day, which can help keep things fresh for both them (the resident) and yourself (the caregiver).
They Redirect The Behavior
You might be surprised to learn that the best way to handle destructive behaviors in Alzheimer’s patients is not by punishing them. Instead, it’s essential to redirect their actions and give them something else to focus on. For example, if your loved one is banging their head against a wall or yelling at someone who isn’t there, try distracting them with another activity, such as playing music or reading together. You can also take them outside for some fresh air or give them something else to do within the house, like cleaning up toys for younger children living there.
They Don’t Use Negative Language
You’ll never hear a caregiver at a memory care community use words such as “crazy,” “insane,” or even “naughty.” Instead, they will use words like “confused” and “frustrated.” These terms remind us that our loved ones aren’t acting out on purpose; instead, their brains cannot process information like before the disease took hold.
Conclusion
With the right help, you can stop your loved one’s destructive behaviors and get them back on track. The most important thing is to understand that these behaviors are not intentional-they’re caused by dementia and other neurological conditions. You can also work with your loved one’s doctor to learn about any medications that might be causing side effects or making it harder for them to control their impulses. Finally, we recommend finding an Alzheimer’s care community that specializes in treating people with Alzheimer’s Disease, so they know how best to deal with these symptoms!
