10 Tips For Responding To Anger in Dementia

While we can’t prevent every outburst, the goal is to manage the situation effectively and reduce the duration and intensity of the distress. Have you found yourself in a scenario where your reaction only made things worse? It’s a common issue among caregivers. Here are several tips to keep in mind for next time, which might make a significant difference in both your experiences.

1. Keep Your Voice Down: When emotions run high, keeping a calm, soothing tone can help prevent the situation from escalating.
2. Mind Your Approach: Avoid walking up too quickly or directly towards your loved one. A slow, gentle approach can be less threatening.
3. Watch Your Gestures: Approaching with hands outstretched can seem menacing. Keep your hands in a neutral position.
4. Avoid Arguments: Arguing with a person with dementia over their beliefs or perceptions can exacerbate the situation.
5. Get On Their Level: Sit down or kneel to appear less intimidating. This can make your loved one feel more at ease.
6. Approach from the Dominant Side: People tend to respond better when approached from their dominant side, so keep this in mind to make interactions smoother.
7. Use Simple Language: Overwhelming your loved one with too many words or complex sentences can increase their distress. Keep it simple.
8. Echo Their Concerns: Validate their feelings by restating their concerns and assure them that you are there to help.
9. Play Detective: If the cause of distress is unclear, calmly try to figure out if basic needs like pain, hunger, or the need to use the restroom are factors.
10. Offer Positive Reinforcement: Throughout your interaction, use encouraging words and affirmations to create a positive environment.