At Kingsley Senior Living, we recognize dementia as one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among older adults. Among the challenges they may face are behaviors such as repetitive or confusing questions; increased agitation; resistance to care; wandering and pacing; and hallucinations and paranoia. Seeing these changes in behavior can be distressing for loved ones.

Problematic dementia behaviors stem from unmet needs, overstimulation, or brain changes. Managing these issues can become stressful for families, which is why many choose memory care. Specially trained staff interpret these behaviors as communication or signs of unmet needs. To respond, they validate feelings, redirect attention, and make necessary changes in the environment rather than arguing or restraining the individual.

The memory care team knows exactly how to handle these common scenarios and manage the situation. Their experience is evident in their ability to help the individual maintain a quality of life that may be difficult to achieve at home. Here’s information on the common dementia behaviors and how a memory care team manages them.

Repetitive Questioning Or Shadowing

Often stemming from short-term memory loss, the affected individual may have difficulty remembering the answer to a question they asked earlier. Their questions may be linked to anxiety, underlying insecurity, a desire for reassurance, or simply boredom.

The Behavior

In this situation, the individual may ask the same question every few minutes or constantly follow the caregiver. They might ask questions like “What time is dinner?” “What time will we leave?” or “Where will we go tomorrow?”

How The Memory Care Team Helps

The staff understands what’s actually happening. They know that the individual may not retain the answer the first time. So, they respond to the question warmly each time, instead of saying, “You already asked that.” They may redirect the resident to a tactile, engaging task or use a gentle touch for reassurance.

Agitation And Aggression

Dementia’s progression affects brain regions that regulate inhibition and interpret reality. Other possible reasons include unmet needs, pain, or hunger. Because of this, even normal care, noises, or changes may seem like threats to them, triggering “fight-or-flight responses” such as agitation and aggression. These behaviors may become a primary form of communication when they become distressed.

The Behavior

Agitation, an internal response to distress, often appears as restless behavior such as pacing, fidgeting, and sleep disturbances. On the other hand, aggression, an outward expression of distress, may appear as verbal or physical behavior. Verbal aggression involves swearing, screaming, and threatening, while physical aggression involves hitting, scratching, biting, or throwing objects.

How The Memory Care Team Helps

The staff checks for underlying physical needs, such as pain or hunger. They approach from the front while speaking in a calm, low tone and giving the resident personal space. They may even dim the lights to reduce overstimulation and help the resident feel calmer. Also, they may remove the resident from a noisy, overwhelming environment.

Wandering And Pacing

There may be a multitude of underlying reasons why a person with dementia wanders and paces. Usually, it’s a combination of brain changes, unmet physical needs, and emotional distress. Their difficulty communicating may lead them to express their needs through movement. They wander and pace to seek familiar surroundings or repeat a past routine.

The Behavior

The individual may start walking aimlessly, attempt to leave the community, or pace. They do it either out of boredom, to exercise, or to search for a past home or routine. In certain situations, they can even feel lost in familiar surroundings.

How The Memory Care Team Helps

The memory care team ensures the exit is safe with alarmed doors and ensures walking paths are clear and circular. Instead of stopping the resident, they walk with them to a safe common area or their room.

Hallucinations And Paranoia

Hallucinations and paranoia result from damage to brain regions responsible for processing the senses, memory, and reasoning. The damage makes it difficult for them to accurately interpret their environment, leading them to develop false beliefs or to see, hear, or feel things that are not real.

The Behavior

The individual believes that people are stealing their belongings or may see or hear things that are not even there.

How The Memory Care Team Helps

The staff never argues with the resident about what they believe they are experiencing, as it can make them more agitated. Instead, they validate the emotion and gently redirect them to another activity.

“Sundowning”

It may result from changes in the brain’s internal clock, which disrupt circadian rhythms, sleep-wake cycles, and melatonin production. Reduced natural light, increased shadows, and fatigue can overwhelm a person, affecting their mood and behavior.

The Behavior

The individual may experience increased confusion, anxiety, and agitation that peaks in the late afternoon and evening. They may even show restlessness, pacing, or sudden mood swings.

How The Memory Care Team Helps

The memory care team keeps the living environment brightly lit in the afternoon. They encourage and help residents follow consistent routines and offer quiet, low-stimulation activities in the evening. They may also serve a warm, caffeine-free beverage that promotes relaxation.

Kingsley Senior Living – Expert Memory Care Services That Promote Whole-Person Well-Being

At Kingsley Senior Living, we understand how taxing it can be for a family to manage the troubling behaviors of their loved one with dementia. Seeing unfamiliar changes in their behavior can naturally raise concerns about their loved one’s care needs. By opting for memory care support, they gain reassurance about their loved one’s overall well-being.

The information above explains the common behavioral changes a family should look for in their loved one with cognitive decline. By noticing the signs and choosing memory care support, they can help their loved one maintain a good quality of life.

If you have a loved one with progressive dementia, contact us at Kingsley Senior Living. With tailored care programs, ample social support, and a range of upscale amenities, we promote an upscale lifestyle for residents. With scheduled transportation, a high-end dining experience, and access to specialized therapies, we help residents live fulfilling lives.