Behaviour and Typical Patterns

Depending on the stage of dementia the person you are caring for is at, there will be a range of issues or behaviours that you may find difficult or challenging to cope with throughout the time spent caring for the person. Not all people with Dementia will display this kind of behaviour but 80% of family carers seek help and guidance in dealing with behaviour that has become difficult or challenging to manage.

Challenging behaviour can be defined, in terms of Dementia, as intense behaviour that can be damaging both physically and psychologically to the person with Dementia or others. Examples of this are wandering, shouting out, episodes of violence, sleep disturbances, self-injury, exposure and incontinence. You may find your coping abilities stretched and find it hard to understand why they are behaving this way. This behaviour may mean that the person you are caring for is trying to communicate an unmet need.

Being under stimulated is one of the reasons why people with dementia become frustrated, this can sometimes be magnified by the fact that they are not always in familiar surroundings. A great way of keeping a person stimulated is to keep them occupied with activities which stimulate their minds and meet their physical needs.

There may be times when a person with dementia is unable to express themselves or the emotions they are feeling. This can quickly lead them to feeling frustrated and fearful, which are two of the main causes behind challenging behaviour. Some key points to keep in mind when caring for someone who has been diagnosed with Dementia are listed below.

Be Person Centered

Try seeing the person for who they are instead of focusing on the Dementia and the effects that this has on the person. Instead, look at their strengths. Each person is unique. They all possess a lifetime of experiences that have shaped their personality and attitudes, and have a variety of skills, interests and preferences.

Be Respectful

Show respect for the person. Don't do anything that may highlight an individual's weaknesses, or try to get them to do anything that they find particularly difficult as this will only frustrate them. Try getting to know an individual and value the diversity of their views, opinions and abilities.

Offer Choice and Inclusion

Pick up on things that interest or provoke a positive reaction from the person you are caring for in order to engage them. Offer an activity which encourages social interaction. You should not force anyone to do an activity, although it is important for you to try and provide stimulation. The person you are caring for may have other things on their minds that particular day.

Maximise Potential

Never assume that the person you are caring for is not able to contribute to, or carry out simple tasks. With the right encouragement, understanding and patience, it will present them with options where they can learn ways of coping with their condition. Offering prompts to enable the person you are caring for to complete daily tasks will increase exposure to success.