Does your mom, dad, or loved one with Alzheimer's suddenly start to feel restless and restless? Does they keep you up at night and walk around? We call this condition 'agitation'. Simply put, it's a restless, restless feeling they have. This can disrupt daily activities and be very stressful for the patient and their caregiver. It's not your fault, it's part of the disease. So let's look at what causes this and what we can do about it.
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Why are they suddenly so upset?
With the changes in the brain caused by Alzheimer's disease, they find it difficult to control their emotions and understand their surroundings. The main reason for this disturbing behavior is the changes.
Imagine, if their usual routine suddenly changes, if their place of residence changes, or if the person taking care of them changes, it will be difficult for them to cope. Also, this situation can be caused by the fear and fatigue that come with the disease.
Sometimes the cause of this confusion is not Alzheimer's disease itself. It can be another infection in the body, pain, or a side effect of a medication you are taking.
So, if your loved one is feeling anxious for no apparent reason, definitely see a doctor and tell them about it. It could be something as simple as a urinary tract infection. Once it's treated, the anxiety will go away.
Things you can do to calm the patient
Before resorting to medication, there are many simple things we can try. These alone may help calm them down.
| Possible method to try | Description |
|---|---|
| Create a calm environment | Reduce distractions like TV and radio. Remove unnecessary items from the room and keep it tidy. Make their daily tasks (washing their face, changing clothes) as simple as possible. |
| Look at physical needs | Maybe they're fussing because they're hungry, thirsty, needing to go to the bathroom, or because they're too hot or cold. Be a little considerate of that. |
| Refer to exercises. | Exercise helps a lot to reduce anxiety and stress. Go for a short walk with them. Plant some flowers in the garden. They like to put on an old song and dance a little. These things will relax their minds. |
| Leave a dim light on at night. | To reduce the fear and confusion they feel in the dark at night, use a nightlight that provides a little light. |
| You too, stay calm. | This is the hardest, but most important thing. No matter how angry or frustrated you are, keep your voice calm and firm. Don't argue with them or blame them. If you calm down, they will feel it too. |
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If you are having trouble managing this condition on your own, or if the anxiety is very severe, your doctor may prescribe medication. The medication will vary depending on the patient's symptoms.
| Drug type | Examples and things to know |
|---|---|
| Antipsychotics / Neuroleptics (medicines for hallucinations and delusions) | Examples: aripiprazole (Abilify), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal). Side effects: Drowsiness, body stiffness, and unusual movements may occur. Very important:Studies have found that some of these medications increase the risk of death in patients with dementia. So , be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor to make the best decision. |
| Antidepressants | These can help if your loved one suffers from depression and frequent irritability. Examples: citalopram (Celexa), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil). Side effects: Drowsiness, dry mouth, and constipation may occur. |
| Anti-anxiety medications | Examples: lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), buspirone (BuSpar). Side effects: These often cause drowsiness. But surprisingly, sometimes these medications can actually make the patient more confused and agitated. We call this paradoxical effect''. |
What is the best solution?
The best way to help an Alzheimer's patient with these disruptive behaviors is to work with your doctor. He or she is the best person to decide what medications and non-medication methods are best for the patient. Keeping the patient calm in this way will provide great relief for them and for you.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Agitation in Alzheimer's patients is part of the disease itself. It's not something that's caused by a mistake in your care.
- If the patient is restless for no apparent reason, be sure to see a doctor to check for another infection or physical problem.
- Before resorting to medication, try things like creating a calm environment, exercising, and maintaining a simple daily routine. These are often very successful.
- If you need to take medication, talk openly with your doctor about their side effects and the risks, especially of antipsychotic medications.
- You are not alone on this journey. Caring for a patient is mentally and physically exhausting. So take care of yourself too. Ask for help from family and friends if you need it.
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