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Dementia can cause changes in the behaviour of friends and loved ones. Such changes are very common, but they can place enormous stress on families and carers. Understanding why someone is behaving in a particular way may help families and carers to cope. There are many reasons why a person’s behaviour may change. Dementia is a result of physical changes in the brain, and these can affect the person’s memory, mood and behaviour. Sometimes, behaviour may be related to these changes, but at other times, the behaviour may be triggered by changes in the person’s environment, health or medication. Understanding the cause will help you to decide which strategies may be helpful. Some carers find that keeping a log or diary helps them to see a pattern of behaviour that may be developing, and this helps them to identify the cause of the changes. Always discuss concerns about behaviour changes with your family doctor, who will be able to check for the presence of a physical illness or discomfort. The doctor will also be able to advise if there is an underlying psychiatric illness. The Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) is a national telephone advisory service for families, carers and care workers who are concerned about the behaviour of people with dementia. Sleeping problems in dementiaProblems with sleeping are common for people with dementia. Some people sleep during the day and are awake and restless at night. Some are no longer able to tell the difference between night and day, while others are simply not as active as they used to be and so need less sleep. Problems with sleeping or late evening agitation are often a stage in dementia that eventually passes. Many people with dementia sleep more during the later stages of the illness. Sleep problems are among the most difficult dementia symptoms for carers. Families and carers must be able to get adequate sleep themselves. Plan regular periods of rest and regular breaks for yourself, as well as for the person with dementia. Medical causes of sleeping problems in dementiaSleeping problems may be caused by physiological or medical causes including:
Things you can try include:
Environmental causes of sleeping problems in dementiaThe environment of the person with dementia can cause sleeping problems in a number of ways including:
Things you can try include:
Other causes of sleeping problems in dementiaOther causes of sleeping problems may include:
Managing sleeping problems with food and drinkSome suggestions include:
Managing sleeping problems through daily routineSome suggestions include:
Hoarding in dementiaPeople with dementia may often appear driven to search for something that they believe is missing and to hoard things for safekeeping. Some causes of hoarding behaviours include:
Managing hoardingThings that you can do to help manage hoarding behaviour in dementia include:
Repetitive behaviour in dementiaPeople with dementia may say or ask things repeatedly. They may also become very clinging and shadow the person caring for them, even following them to the toilet. These behaviours can be very upsetting and irritating for families and carers. Managing repetitive behaviourThings that you can do to help manage repetitive behaviour in dementia include:
Wandering in dementiaWandering is quite common among people with dementia and can be very worrying for those concerned for their safety and wellbeing. The person’s failing memory and declining ability to communicate may make it impossible for them to remember or explain the reason they wandered. Develop an action plan for when a person with dementia wanders, such as noting the clothing they were wearing, and contacting neighbours and the police. Reasons that a person with dementia might wander include:
Managing wanderingThings that you can do to help manage wandering in dementia include:
Sundowning in dementiaPeople with dementia may become more confused, restless or insecure late in the afternoon or early evening. This is known as sundowning and these behaviour changes can become worse after a move or a change in routine. The person with dementia may become more demanding, restless, upset, suspicious, disoriented and even see, hear or believe things that aren’t real, especially at night. Attention span and concentration can become even more limited. Some people may become more impulsive, responding to their own ideas of reality, and this may place them at risk. Visit the doctor for a check-up and a review of medication. There are a number of physical and environmental changes you can make to restrict stimulating activities to the morning and promote relaxation in the afternoon and evening. Where to get helpThis page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
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