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Residents with dementia who live at
home or in nursing facilities often try to express themselves in
non-traditional ways. While someone who wants their breakfast oatmeal
served hotter can just say so, someone with dementia might be able to
just make anxious sounds, pace, or even throw the oatmeal on the floor.
If someone in your care exhibits dissatisfaction with some aspect of
daily care, try to figure out what is bothering the person, and make any
needed adjustments that you can. Dementia patients may raise their
voice, swing their arms, push, shove, or yank at things or people to
convey their irritation. Caregivers must learn to decipher true anger
from confusion or self-defense against other aggressive residents.
Anger
management therapy should be considered for those who express real anger
inappropriately. Some dementia residents may withdraw socially, stop
talking to others, or gesticulate excitedly when they are upset.
Sometimes these actions are in response to legitimate concerns, while at
other times they may reflect unsuitable anger that needs to be
redirected. If the person is able to understand and respond to
caregivers in appropriate ways, he or she may be eligible for
anger
management therapy. Anger Management Therapy for Dementia Patients Any
anger management therapy facilitator or coordinator who works with
dementia residents will need to understand the way that those with
dementia communicate, and the types of triggers that can draw their
anger. This may require some training in long-term facility care,
gerontology, and dementia behaviours.
The
therapist may attempt group or individual therapy, depending on the
patient's needs and abilities. In anger management therapy, the
coordinator may try to make the resident understand the consequences of
anger outbursts, or attempt to teach the resident how to redirect anger
in acceptable ways. At times, the therapist might want to work with the
resident's physician, social worker, and family to achieve the best
results. This type of effort could take a long time and may be only
partially successful yet, any progress is undoubtedly helpful.
They also
can get in touch with the doctor, nursing staff, and social worker for
help in assisting a dementia patient through anger management therapy
that may lead to improved outcomes for the resident and those that
provide his or her care and support.
By: Steve Hill
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