Dementia is a general term used to describe symptoms that include memory loss, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes. The severity of these symptoms can range from mild to severe. As someone with dementia ages, their symptoms may also change over time. It’s important for family members and caregivers to be aware of the potential dementia behaviors dementia so they can recognize them early on. Below are some common signs that indicate your loved one might be experiencing dementia:
Wandering
Wandering is one of the most common signs of dementia. It can be caused by depression, anxiety, or even boredom. Sometimes, it’s a sign that the person needs to use the bathroom or wants to go outdoors for a walk.
The best way to prevent wandering is to try to make your home as safe as possible by removing sharp objects that could hurt someone who is confused—or anyone else in general! You should also keep doors locked and ensure no stairs leading outside (if they exist). Finally, ensure doors are closed tightly, and windows have locks on them so that no one can accidentally wander into them while you’re not looking!
Agitation And Irritability
Agitation and irritability are often signs of depression, but they can also indicate pain and anxiety. If you notice that your loved one is suddenly very agitated or irritable, it’s a good idea to get him, or her checked out by a doctor to rule out other factors. However, if there are no other factors involved and you still notice your loved one becoming more agitated as time goes on (particularly after the onset of dementia), it may be time to consider alternative causes for this behavior change.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations signify that your loved one’s brain has been altered and can be frightening to witness. The most common type of hallucination is visual (seeing things), but you may also notice auditory (hearing things) or tactile (feeling things) hallucinations.
If you notice these symptoms in your loved one, staying calm is important. He or she might have an internal conversation with an imaginary person, for example—this is normal if it doesn’t affect their everyday life!
Disruptive Sleep Patterns
Sleep is important for everyone, but especially for older adults. Sleep helps the brain store memories and connect them, making it easier for you to recall information in your daily life. Dementia patients often have trouble sleeping at night due to anxiety and confusion caused by their condition. This can lead them to wake up in the middle of the night feeling disoriented or confused about where they are, who you are, and what happened during the day. The lack of sleep also affects how well people perform tasks such as driving or taking care of themselves when they’re awake; this may lead you or other caregivers to have less energy during your day-to-day activities.
It might be tempting either ignore these behaviors (because they can be frustrating) or try changing them yourself (since dementia patients don’t always respond well). Instead, ask a doctor or dementia care experts if there are any medications available that can help with your loved one’s disrupted sleep patterns without making things worse!
How Assisted Living Can Help
Assisted living provides a wide range of services that can help with the daily tasks of life. While family members best handle some dementia behaviors, others can be managed more effectively in an assisted living setting. Assisted living centers assist with medications, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, transportation, and housekeeping. In addition to these basic needs, assistance with exercise and physical therapy are available as well.
