Taking care of a senior parent with Alzheimer’s can be emotionally draining even at the best of times. When Alzheimer’s disease causes your senior parent to have personality changes or become aggressive it can be even more difficult to handle. It’s normal to have an emotional reaction when your senior parent yells at you, accuses you of things, or becomes combative and aggressive.

But you don’t have to go through this journey alone. Alzheimer’s care is available for seniors aging in place who have Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s care offers support for seniors and their family members as they try to navigate the difficulties of Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s care can be a huge help if your senior parent has personality changes or is aggressive because the care providers are trained to handle aggression in seniors with Alzheimer’s. They know how to redirect your senior parent, de-escalate tense situations, and make sure that your senior parent is safe and well cared for.

You can also use these tips to manage when your senior parent with Alzheimer’s becomes aggressive or combative as a result of their disease:

Identify Triggers

If you can identify triggers that make your senior parent aggressive, or identify patterns in their behavior, then you can work to eliminate those triggers or change that pattern. Often seniors who become combative or aggressive do not have a need met but they can’t vocalize that need. Figuring out what is causing the change in their demeanor can make a big difference.

Stay Calm

It’s difficult to stay calm in these situations, but it’s essential that you not become angry, defensive, or upset. Try to remember that your senior parent isn’t attacking you personally, they are expressing their own frustration and anger at a particular situation. Try to continue speaking to them gently and with patience. If you need to take a minute to collect yourself, do that.

Stick to Routine

Seniors with Alzheimer’s do best when they have a set routine. Try to stick to their routine at all times. Consistent meal times, bathroom breaks, and sleep schedules help ensure that seniors are having their basic needs met. If mealtime is off by half an hour, your senior parent may become aggressive because they are hungry and can’t tell you that.

Always Offer Choices

Giving seniors with Alzheimer’s choices gives them a sense of being in control of their lives. That’s very important for their well-being. Giving them the choice of what action to take can curb their aggression or frustration by empowering them to choose what happens next.

Create a Calm Environment

A calm and soothing environment can help seniors with Alzheimer’s stay calm. Minimize noise, avoid clutter, and create spaces that are comfortable and familiar. Soft lighting and playing some soothing music or music that they enjoy can also help make the environment more soothing.

Redirect, Redirect, Redirect

If your senior parent is getting aggressive or combative try to redirect them to something pleasant such as having a snack, watching a favorite program, or some other activity that they like. If that doesn’t work, try redirecting them by getting them involved in a favorite activity or putting on some of their favorite music. Redirection is one of the best tools to use to keep your senior parent calm.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care in Hillsborough, CA, please contact the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care today (415) 463-1400

Aviva In-Home Care provides exceptional senior home care in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Burlingame, San Mateo, Hillsborough, Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Berkeley, Lafayette, Orinda, and surrounding areas.

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Evan Loevner

CEO at Aviva In-Home Care

As a former hospital administrator, I launched Aviva with the goal of having a more focused, direct impact on the delivery of care than I could ever accomplish within a hospital setting. For me, the joy of running an organization like Aviva In-Home Care is having the ability to positively improve the lives of individuals needing customized care. As a passionate Bay Area resident, I know that many local seniors can benefit from new approaches to in-home care, that will bring them more connection to the community, and provide families with a greater sense of comfort that their loved one is indeed matched with an ideal caregiver.

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