Handling Agitation in a Senior Person with Alzheimer’s in Phoenix

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It can be challenging to care for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s with some of the complex behaviors to deal with on the part of caregivers being sleep disturbances, wandering and agitation (the most common one). Seniors with Alzheimer’s often experience agitation when the sun begins to set which is referred to as sundowning or Sundowner’s syndrome. The syndrome leads to pacing and uneasiness which is common in the late afternoon and early evening hours. A senior can become agitated during other parts of the day as well. It is important for you to find out the root cause behind agitation which can help you find out ways to calm your loved one and help them achieve the peace of mind.

If you have senior family members suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia, you need to ensure their proper care which you can only achieve in an assisted facility. Assisted facilities comprise experienced and well-trained caregivers who offer round the clock care and support to the residents. If you are an inhabitant of the Phoenix region in AZ, you can book a suite at the award-winning Anthem Senior Living. Expect for your loved one to receive the best form of senior living in Anthem care and support.

Causes behind older adults with Alzheimer’s experiencing agitation:

Disorderly Environment– The agitation increases in an adult with Alzheimer’s when they are in a noisy environment, such as a room where the television is playing loudly or a crowded place which can be attributed to the fact that processing too many things at once becomes tough for them which works them up.

Exhaustion– Sleep disorder is very common among adults with Alzheimer’s which can invariably leave them feeling tired and exhausted. You need to manage your loved one’s sleep problems. Causes of sleep problems in seniors with Dementia may be caused by changes in brain chemistry, or by changes in the body’s circadian rhythms (which changes as we age). Some other causes include depression or grief, Sleep apnea (a sleep disorder where the person stops breathing briefly throughout the night), etc.

Unnecessary Physical Activity– Getting all your errands done in one day may be a bit too much for an adult with Alzheimer’s. It is advisable for caregivers to break up the tasks over several days to avoid increased agitation.

Undiagnosed Pain– Undiagnosed pain can lead to increased agitation. Some of the symptoms include restlessness, check for signs of pain on your loved one’s face, ask them whether any body part hurts, etc. Remember, verbal communication skills are often impaired when a senior has Alzheimer’s disease which can pose a challenge in diagnosing pain.

Sudden Change in Routine– People with memory issues face difficulties in adapting to change ranging from change in environment to change in routine which can cause agitation. It is better to stick to an already set routine which will significantly lower agitation.

Talk to your loved one’s physician if you’ve noticed all of these potential causes of agitation who will review the senior’s medication list and also conduct a physical examination in order to determine if something is wrong.

Book a suite at Anthem Senior Living in Phoenix and give the best experience to your loved ones.