What causes aggression in dementia? [5 reasons]

Welcome to the place where I share dementia tips, strategies, and information for family members caring for a loved one with any type of dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, etc.)

In today’s video I share how 5 reasons someone with dementia may become combative or aggressive.

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In case you haven’t met me, my name is Natali Edmonds and I am a board certified geropsychologist. That means that I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with older adults. One day, while hiking a trail, I came up with the idea for Careblazers and I decided to see if posting videos online could provide help to the many other Careblazers in the world who don’t get to have help come directly to them in their homes. I hope that this work helps you in some way on your caregiving journey.
#careblazer #dementia #dementiacare

[Friskyhorton]

First think, pain, then hunger, then bladder, and I always get a good result when singing happy birthday

[theaweavers]

I suggested that my mum wrote a letter to complain and that calmed her down and so she enjoyed her meal

[kathleenborsch]

This is helpful information for me, my sister, and daughter. My mom has been a "difficult" person throughout our lives: narcissistic, short-tempered, verbally abusive, etc. Now she has Alzheimer's and is in a nice memory care place. After a somewhat pleasant period of calm throughout her earlier dementia stages, she's getting more aggressive, combative, and angry. This behavior is very triggering for us who have experienced her verbal and emotional abuse in the past, but we still want to support her. So we must remind ourselves this is her dementia working, not necessarily the "wicked witch" of the past. These specific tips in this video should help to clarify the causes of her behavior and guide us toward appropriate actions.

I will share this information with my sister and daughter, as well as let them know about your channel. Thank you so much!

[MrMonet]

Don’t forget to ask them if they are in pain. My husband has a lot of arthritis and can’t always tell me.

[cherylcampbell]

I’m a caregiver that travels to different homes and environments. When the husband is indifferent to the wife/cold I always have trouble. Best for him to stay in another room. Also into the five year mark more aggression and lots of frustration for client.Nice walks outside if weather permits physically able.Otherwise indoors. Dancing and music is so important I’ve found.

[L-K-Jellyfish]

Why do so many doctors who work with dementia patients, behave as if aggression and cantankerousness is not a symptom? It makes me feel like I'm in the Twilight zone. I even feel gaslighted some times and I mean I feel like people are trying to tell me I'm crazy for accepting that my mother gets aggressive! They're the professionals - surely they'd know this better than me!

[terriestag]

Oh. My. GOODNESS! #5! It hit home with me, as at this very moment we are going thru a very difficult day and I'M frustrated! My LO just said, "I know you're frustrated and that's frustrating to me!" It's been a rough 7 hours of crying and I'm at wit's end. But I'll remember this and try my best to calm down. Thank you, Dr. Natali!

[OneSweetDreamsands]

Tonight was a doozy. I'm ready to give up. Thank you for this vid.

[alexmorgan]

I am struggling right now with my mother and your videos are so good and an immense help.

[theaweavers]

You are so right about our own mood!! They can pick up on things so easilyxx i play our fav music and do comical ballet moves and we both laugh xx

[GioWalls]

My mom is 63 and her moods are extreme at times. I know its the disease but still hard to manage.

[melmeltoo]

Thank you Dr. Natali! As you mentioned the environment or activity can aggravate. For my mom most times it is when she sees me in the kitchen dinnertime cooking and she wants to eat it now. I've learned to keep fruits and snacks in tiny zip bags on hand to give to mom as distraction bc lord knows I've explained pointlessly that meal is not ready to eat yet... my mom is food driven/foodie... loves to eat not afraid to try new foods. Even in her disease she gets wowed when she tries new food. But it's new because not able to recall...lol.

[stevenblack]

I find leaving photo albums at arms reach a great circuit breaker and if I’m getting frustrated go outside and play with my dog calms me down and helps break the tension

[skiingiowan]

I just found my way here because I was looking for information on how to best care for my patients with dementia in the hospital as a patient care technician (similar to a CNA). Thank you for sharing your expertise and providing examples.

A gentle suggestion would be to do some videos for caregivers who have their loved one in a hospital.

For example: a hospital is going to be overstimulating in a variety of ways (one of the things mentioned in the video). How can caregivers support their loved one in this situation?

Another example: Unfortunately healthcare staff are understaffed in most American hospitals. Understanding what a caregiver can do to help the staff best care for the patient (“hey, fyi my mom is always cold so keep the warm blankets coming” or “my husband is comforted by his favorite blanket so I brought in for his stay here”). Also what caregiver behaviors hinder healthcare staff from providing more effective care?

Perhaps doing a primer on what caregivers can expect if their loved one goes to the hospital for different concerns. For example, getting a call from the nursing home that my loved one fell and broke his/her hip and is on his/her way to the ED. Information on what type of decisions the caregiver will be asked to make; what is an occupational therapist; how to best work with the hospital social worker, etc.

Being in the hospital is stressful for anyone especially patients with dementia and their caregiver’s. Being armed with even a little guidance on what to expect can help mitigate some of the stress.
Thank you for the important work you are doing!

[petermorcom]

My aunt’s frustration and aggression goes thru the roof if she gets a UTI.

[carolcolgate]

So much of what you had to say today exactly applies as useful! Thank you so much !

[cynthiarubio]

My mother is 83, and it is believed that she may have Lewey Body Dementia. She has hallucinations of people mainly women that are approaching my father. She becomes verbally aggressive with my father. She also does not sleep well at night. Any advice would be appreciated.

[iwasdn]

I'm dealing with a husband who is acting out and he's paranoid and very angry because he wants sex all the time. It's a nightmare. He's always accusing me of having affairs and is recording me secretly (I'm 10 yrs younger, but look 20 yrs younger). He was always a bit jealous, but now it's full blown insanity. He's 75 and still has a full head of hair and is very handsome and charming. Women are always flirting with him. No one can tell he has dementia and of course he's very vain. so he doesn't want anyone to know, and of course he thinks I'm making it all up anyways. He is completely a different person (we've been married for 30 years) and it's really hard on me. My mom who is 86 is completely healthy and her advice to me is, "Just be nice." This disease is a complete nightmare. At least with cancer or other diseases you're able to have reasonable conversations. My husband is saying inappropriate things to our 22 year old son's girlfriend. I spoke to them privately, but our son doesn't want to believe it, he said, "Dad is just being funny, he's forgetful sometimes, but it's no big deal, he's your husband and you should be nice to him." I've been to group meetings and I'm the only one dealing with sexual obsession~which causes him to have rage, tantrums and aggression daily. I guess I'd be #6 reason. Thank you.

[orthodudeness]

This is one of your most helpful, on target videos yet! Your precision is truly awesome
and exceptionally helpful. Thank you, Dr. Natali!
And having a problem with the thanks button??

[westendanimalhospital]

This is simple it is easy to overlook, overthink, forget. ❤️❤️❤️❤️