EP148: Managing Distressful Behaviors in Dementia

<p dir="ltr">Thank you for listening to this episode on Decoding Distressful Behaviors! Please enjoy this free download and feel free to check out the rest of my website while you are here! <a href= "https://melissabphd.com/decoding-distressful-behaviors/">https://melissabphd.com/decoding-distressful-behaviors/</a></p> <p dir="ltr">As caregivers, notice underlying causes that trigger behavioral changes in persons with Alzheimer’s. </p> <p dir="ltr">—Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN</p> <p dir="ltr">It is important to understand that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia impact a person’s ability to communicate with us using words and language; so their behavior becomes increasingly more important to pay attention to. </p> <p dir="ltr">Most behaviors are triggered by something, and as caregivers, we have to put on our detective hats and figure out what the trigger was.</p> <p dir="ltr">Most people who have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia will experience distressing behavior such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, emotional outbursts, agitation, aggression, apathy at some point in the disease. </p> <p dir="ltr">This is all because of the changes that are happening in the brain, but these behaviors are often because of some other underlying cause. </p> <p dir="ltr">In today’s episode, I will share four areas that could lead to these types of behaviors and 3 questions to help yourself in order to figure out what the underlying cause might be, so you can prevent or short-circuit these types of distressful behaviors.</p> <p dir="ltr">Be sure to LISTEN TO THE END and learn how you can get a FREE checklist for Decoding Distressful Behaviors in Dementia based on today’s episode.</p> <p dir="ltr">Key points covered in this episode:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Communication Challenges</p> </li> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Trouble finding the right word(s)</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" rol