Aug 22, 2017

My Alzheimer’s Story Asks 20 Questions: Understanding the Frustrations and Agitation of a Person Living with Dementia

A common experience that many people with dementia go through is agitation and frustration – and for their loved ones it can be a challenge to understand why they may be going through this.

For some people, when they are upset, they may display behaviours such as pacing and fiddling. Others may let out their frustrations in physical aggression.

But what is the root of these reactions? My Alzheimer’s Story, gave some insight saying that “people with dementia behave in logical, natural and understandable ways to stressful situations”

What often happens is that their behaviour is attributed to the disease rather than to whatever catalyst actually sparked it.

My Alzheimer’s Story posed 20 questions that people should ask themselves to help understand why someone with dementia might get angry or aggressive. 

Here are five of the questions – if you want to read the other 15 go HERE

  1. What would you do if you had to walk a mile in their shoes?
  2. How would you react if your children took your car keys away and told you couldn’t drive anymore for no reason?
  3. How would you react if people told you it was daytime when you knew for a fact it was the middle of the night?
  4. How would you respond if someone told you strangers would be coming to your house where you had lived alone for decades to take care of you because you couldn’t take care of yourself?
  5. What would you say if someone came and took your dog or cat away?

Ask the article states, most people who do not have dementia would not react well under these circumstances. But this is often a reality and common experience for people with dementia.

A common factor between a lot of these situations is that the frustrated person is not being listened to and that things are being done against their will.

People with dementia, when they exhibit agitation or aggressive behaviour, are often put on medications for reactions that are triggered by their environment or other people.

Many dementia experts advocate for a more compassionate style of care where carers need to see the world through the eyes of the person with dementia. 

What do you have to say? Comment, share and like below.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Dementia: What happens when someone refuses to drink – should we provide IV Fluids?

Many families are finding themselves in the difficult situation of having to make decisions for a loved one that is living with some form of dementia. As the person living with dementia begins to deteriorate, multiple decisions need to be made by family members, who want to do their best, but don’t have a clear... Read More

TikTok videos about caring for people with dementia turn therapist into social media star

Teepa Snow has been an occupational therapist for years, but never thought she’d become a social media star overnight with her popular TikTok videos sharing helpful tips for caregivers of people living with dementia. Read More

Elderly man avoids jail for attempted murder of wife “for love”

A judge has shown mercy to an elderly man who has avoided a jail after attempting to kill his wife and himself “for love”. Joseph Sugar, 88, injected himself and his wife of 50 years, Heather, with insulin two days before they were due to move into separate buildings in the same residential aged care... Read More
Advertisement