Providing care for an elderly loved one can certainly be challenging at times. It can become even more demanding if your loved one is showing signs of disruptive behavior. This disruptive behavior can manifest itself in the form of aggression or other destructive behaviors. These changes are most likely due to a physiological change in the brain. It could be caused by depression, anxiety, or the onset of a degenerative disorder. In any case, it is important to deal with these issues as soon as possible before they can spin out of control.
Addressing Negative Behavior
There really is no simple solution for dealing with disagreeable behavior. However, there are some options caregivers can try to lead to more cooperative results.
• Ensure the basic needs of your loved one are met – make sure they are comfortable, clean and well fed
• Make an appointment with a doctor or healthcare professional to assess if your loved one is experiencing pain or discomfort due to an existing ailment
• Implement a treatment program to help alleviate any chronic pain
• Make sure all medications are in order and are doing what they are supposed to
• If your loved one is showing signs of aggression, keep a safe distance and speak in a calm and friendly tone
• Take notes and keep them in a journal detailing any negative behaviors, what sets them off, and how often they occur
• If the situation becomes too much to deal with on your own, seek assistance from a professional caregiver
• If you do enlist the help of a caregiver, be sure to pass on all relevant information to aid your caregiver in adapting to the situation
If you do, in fact, require the assistance of a professional caregiver, our caregivers at Retire-At-Home Toronto are trained to deal with difficult behavior and can help ease your burden.
Stay Positive
Caring for an individual that consistently displays negative and destructive behavior can be exhausting. Not only is it tiring, but it can also have detrimental effects on your own mental health.
Make sure you have daily breaks to recharge and regroup. Take time for yourself to do something you enjoy to relieve stress and avoid burnout. Look to friends and family for emotional support.
Create a schedule that allows you to provide effective care for your loved one, as well as affording personal time for you to decompress. This balance is critical to the success of your caregiving efforts.
The most important thing to remember when dealing with aggressive behavior is to remain calm. Meeting hostility with hostility will almost assuredly result in disaster. If you are being affronted with a combative attitude, the best thing you can do is take a tranquil approach and speak with a soothing voice to diffuse the situation.
Contact us today for more information about how we can help!
