I recently came across a commercial about agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia. At some point, it shared with me a website related to finding more information about this condition. The website, which also advertised a prescribed medication for agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia, shared that this condition and Alzheimer’s Dementia aren’t the same. They’re two conditions that are diagnosed separately.
In fact, of the 6.7 million people ages 65 and older diagnosed with Dementia, about half or more develop agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia. If you have a loved one like I do who has experienced agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia, here are the signs and causes you must pay attention to. I’ll also share what you shouldn’t do when they’re agitated and how you can support them.
Signs of Agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia
Agitation and restlessness are some of the most common behaviors in people with dementia. When people start experiencing these signs, they may start to fidget, tap their fingers, or do other repetitive movements. They may also start to walk around a lot or even try to leave the house. One thing I’ve learned is that agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia affects people in different ways. You may have one person who may have a problem blurting out profane language and another person who is just physically aggressive. Other symptoms include shakiness, destroying things, screaming, hoarding, and pointing.
Causes of Agitation in Elderly
When a person with dementia starts to become agitated, neurodegeneration, and damage to neurons, start to occur in their brain. One factor that could contribute to agitation is the environment the person is in. A review published in April 2021 in Frontiers in Neurology shows that pain, sleep disturbance, depression, change in medication, and hospitalization can trigger agitation. A person with dementia can become agitated or restless because of not being able to do certain things they used to do. This could make them feel anxious about the changes they’re experiencing in their behavior.
What You Shouldn’t Do When a Person with Dementia Is Agitated
Now that you know about the symptoms and causes, it’s important to learn what you shouldn’t do when a person becomes agitated. These were helpful reminders for me when watching my aunt. It’s important to be sympathetic and not judgmental. Don’t yell and scream at the person because that could only make things worse. Acknowledge their frustration to them and assure them that things will soon calm down. Don’t order them around. Instead issue a respectful invitation such as, “How about we go out to dinner together?” “Sounds good.” Also, don’t argue with them or don’t over-medicate them to get them to calm down.
Support a Person with Dementia Feeling Agitated
The best thing you could do to help a person with dementia feeling agitated is to support them. Try reassuring them that you love and care for them. If they’re able to do so, encourage them to tell you why they’re feeling agitated. Make sure that they’re physically comfortable in their environment by adjusting the heating in their home. Also, make sure they’re wearing comfortable shoes and clothes so they won’t start to become restless.
Also, be sure to take care of yourself. Because if you don’t do that, you won’t be able to take care of your loved one for long. Do you have a loved one dealing with agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia? How do you help and support your loved one? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the section below. Here’s an interesting article I found about a woman who made a fidget toy for dementia patients to help ease restlessness. As always, be sure to like or share this post with the next caregiver you care about.
