EP52: How to Manage Anger and Aggression in Alzheimer's Disease?

<p><strong>How to Manage Anger and Aggression in Alzheimer's Disease?</strong></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When older adults are acting badly, that is a sign of </span></em><em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">an unmet need.”</span></em><strong>-Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FGSA, FAAN</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Older adults with Alzheimer's disease can get angry or be aggressive.  These types of behaviors, when associated with Alzheimer's disease, can be a challenge for care providers and family members alike. These behaviors should not be overlooked and should be taken into consideration of the context in which the behaviors occur to try to find a solution. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Join me for this episode of</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">, where we'll talk about</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">How To Manage Anger and Aggression in Alzheimer's Disease.</span></em></p> <p><strong>Part One of 'How To Manage Anger and Aggression in Alzheimer's Disease.'</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anger and aggression generally happen in response to some underlying trigger, resulting in the behavior(s) observed. Below are some of the underlying causes of anger and aggression for an older adult living with Alzheimer's disease and the best ways to respond as a caregiver. </span></p> <p><strong>Understanding The Underlying Cause(s) Or Trigger</strong></p> <p><strong>Possible Cause 1: Brain Changes</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As caregivers or family members, you need to understand what cognitive abilities remain intact versus what deteriorates. Alzheimer's disease is essentially “brain failure” - meaning memory ability is lost over time, and thinking and problem-solving become much more difficult. At a certain point, the person also loses the ability to use and understand language. However, one part of the