| Family members of Alzheimer's patients often find | | | | prevention in the future, as the patient may simply |
| themselves in the unforeseen role of caregiver, | | | | be reacting to fear or a feeling of a lack of control. |
| assuming the daunting responsibility of helping a loved | | | | Maintaining composure during a patient's angry |
| one perform the routine responsibilities of daily life. | | | | outburst can be a trying duty, but it is important to |
| The effects of Alzheimer's disease impact not only | | | | remember that this behavior is not intentional and |
| the patient, but can wreak emotional havoc on family | | | | should not be taken personally. |
| members who are caring for the patient. Alzheimer's | | | | Combative or otherwise defiant behavior can be a |
| patients are commonly disoriented with their | | | | form of nonverbal communication, so being intuitive |
| environments and can exhibit erratic, challenging | | | | about the needs of the Alzheimer's patient can help a |
| behaviors, including angry outbursts and even physical | | | | caregiver deal with the demands that are being |
| aggression. A person with Alzheimer's disease | | | | placed on him or her. By attempting to determine the |
| experiences progressive loss of mental capacity that | | | | sincere need behind a patient's erratic reaction, you |
| causes severe personality changes, which takes an | | | | can address the problem and appease your loved |
| emotional and physical toll on his or her family | | | | one while fulfilling his or her needs. Do not forget that |
| members. | | | | your communication style and mood also affect the |
| When caring for a family member with Alzheimer's | | | | patient. Bear in mind that the patient's circumstances |
| disease, it is important to remain calm and maintain | | | | have caused a decreased ability to understand |
| your patience. The damage that Alzheimer's disease | | | | speech, and you should therefore speak in a |
| does to the brain can cause patients to react | | | | peaceful, quiet tone while talking slowly and using |
| disproportionately to situations, as is the case when a | | | | simple sentences. |
| patient has an outburst of rage in response to an | | | | If you are the sole caretaker of a family member |
| otherwise trivial event. In such situations, it is | | | | that has Alzheimer's disease, seeking assistance from |
| important that the caregiver does not take the | | | | other family members or professionals is a good way |
| behavior personally and maintains composure so as | | | | to help ease your burden. Remember, the patient's |
| not to perpetuate the patient's negative mental | | | | well being is the ultimate purpose and you may need |
| state. Keeping notes about the situations leading to | | | | a break to restore a composed mindset such that |
| outbursts can give you valuable insight into their | | | | you can provide optimal care to your loved one. |