olunteer
ews
Volume 12 Issue 1
November 2012
AGITATION AND DEMENTIA
Many people with dementia experience emotional distress or behavioral changes that can be summed up by
the term agitation. Very mild agitation may seem like a personality change in which a person acts in ways
that are uncharacteristic or inappropriate for him or her, such as being very stubborn, worried, or nervous.
More severe agitation forces caregivers to constantly supervise or reassure the person. These distressing
symptoms can be disruptive or even dangerous. Agitation tends to persist and grow worse over time, and
severe agitation is often the reason that families eventually decide to place loved ones in long term care
homes. Some behaviors a person with dementia may exhibit include:
- Irritability, frustration, excessive anger
- "Blow ups" out of proportion to the cause
- Constant need for reassurance
CONTACT INFORMATION:
- Repetitive questions
- Stubborn refusal to do things or go places
Fairmount Home
- Constant pacing, searching, rummaging
2069 Battersea Road
- Yelling, screaming, cursing, threats, hitting, kicking
Glenburnie, Ont
AGITATION CAN BE CAUSED BY:
- Physical and medical problems such as pain, lack of sleep, constipation,
impaired vision, urinary tract infections, pain from prolonged sitting.
- Environmental stresses including excessive noise, poor lighting, being overwhelmed with too many people around, lack of heat or too much heat, a move
to a new environment.
- Sleep problems including insomnia and “sundowning”.
- Psychiatric syndromes. Psychosis, depression and anxiety are common
psychiatric syndromes seen in agitated persons with dementia.
Remember that, in all these situations, a person with dementia is more
easily agitated because the brain has physically changed and no longer
functions in a healthy manner. The brain has lost its normal ability to control
angry impulses, a problem called disinhibition. Anger becomes aggression
when the person acts on these feelings by verbally or physically threatening
another person or attacking objects. It may occur because the person with
dementia often misunderstands or misinterprets the actions of others, and then
lashes out because he or she feels ignored, in danger, or mistreated. Another
cause of anger is frustration at being unable to complete tasks that were once
easy, such as fixing something that is broken, using the stove, or going to the
bathroom. Sometimes there is no obvious cause of frustration. When a person
with dementia becomes aggressive it is important to evaluate the person's environment to be sure it is safe for them (and others) and to see if some simple
adjustments might reduce the problem. It can usually be helped with environmental changes, extra attention, effective communication, and/or medication.
Agitation should not be ignored in the hope it will go away by itself.
K0H 1S0
Phone # 613-546-4264
Fax: 613-546-0489
LYNDA LAIRD,
Volunteer & Special Events
Coordinator
ext 581
[email protected]
VIOLET YOVANOVICH,
Recreationist
1st Floor—ext 571
vyovanovich@
frontenaccounty.ca
MELISSA CLYDE,
Recreationist
2nd Floor—ext 572
[email protected]
Dorothy Jackson,
Receptionist
ext 100
[email protected]
PAGE 2
VOLUNTEER NEWS
COMMUNICATING WITH A PERSON WITH DEMENTIA
People with dementia often find it hard to understand the meaning of words that you are
using, or to think of the words they want to say. You may both become frustrated.
The following tips can help you communicate more effectively:










Identify yourself by name and call the person by name. The person will probably
not remember who you are so don't ask "Do you remember me?"
Approach the person slowly from the front and give him or her time to get used to
your presence. Maintain eye contact when speaking and smile.
Try to talk in a quiet place without too much background noise such as a television or other people in
conversation.
Speak slowly and distinctly. Use familiar words and short sentences.
It is understandable that you may feel frustrated at times; but showing your frustration can make the
situation worse. Remember that the person has a disease and is not deliberately trying to make
things difficult for you.
Try and talk about feelings rather than facts. For example, if the person with dementia is mistakenly
convinced you’ve never visited before simply reply “Well I’m really enjoying getting to spend time
with you today.”
Keep things positive "Let's go for a walk". Offer positive choices like "Would you like to wear your
red or blue coat?" Show the red and blue coat if necessary to help with their decision making.
If the person seems frustrated and you don't know what he or she wants, try to ask simple questions
that can be answered with yes/ no or one-word answers. Use gestures, visual cues and verbal
prompts to help. For example if suggesting a walk get out the coats and say "Lets go for a walk".
Set up needed supplies in advance for activities and anticipate needs such as bathroom and refreshment breaks. Try to separate complicated tasks into simple steps and physically start demonstrating
what you want them to do.
If a subject of conversation makes a person agitated or frustrated, it may be more helpful to drop the
issue rather than keep on trying to correct a specific misunderstanding. He or she will probably
forget the issue and be able to relax in a short while.
COLD AND FLU SEASON
We recently experienced our first Respiratory Outbreak of the season, and with effective infection control
practices and a lot of luck, hopefully it will be our last. We greatly appreciate how understanding our volunteers were during this time with programs being cancelled or modified. Volunteers who were able to
still come in were incredibly supportive, practicing and encouraging great hand washing during their
visits. We will continue to try to communicate with you in advance any issues which might affect your
volunteer duties at Fairmount Home. One thing you can do to help with this is provide Lynda with an
email address if she doesn’t already have yours. When communicating with 20-30 volunteers in an
average week this can be an incredible time saver. Email Lynda at [email protected] to get
connected. And remember, flu shots are also still available at Fairmount if you haven’t got yours yet!