What Can You Do if Your Elderly Loved One Is Suddenly Exhibiting Difficult Behavior?
Difficult behavior can mean a lot of different things to you and to your loved one. She might start feeling argumentative or even combative on a regular basis. Managing that behavior properly can help you and your loved one to come back to a place of calm.
Figure out What Is Behind the Behavior
There are any number of reasons that your loved one could be exhibiting what can be called difficult behavior. Sometimes, those causes are medical in nature, so it’s important to figure out if an illness is causing the behavior. Bladder infections, for example, can cause symptoms that resemble dementia. Solving underlying medical causes can solve the behavior as well.
Try to Separate Your Loved One from the Behavior Itself
It’s easy to say that you have to separate your loved one from the behavior that she’s exhibiting, but it’s true. You can’t take whatever is happening personally, no matter how personal it feels at the time. Your own self-care is incredibly important now, so make sure that you take time for yourself. Hire senior care providers and take time away as often as you can.
Help Your Loved One to Focus on Something Else
Some of your loved one’s behavior could be due to fixating on one situation or another. If that’s a problem for your loved one, help her to focus on other subjects when she starts to fixate again. Keep activities that your loved one enjoys available and be ready with them when she shows signs of being upset.
Reduce Distractions if Those Are an Issue
Your loved one might have larger difficulties during times of distraction than she does during other times. If it’s possible at all, reduce the distractions around your loved one. Your loved one might benefit from having a bit of quiet time during each day, too. Knowing that she has that time available at some point each day can help her to feel more centered.
Difficult behavior from your loved one makes caregiving more difficult, but that doesn’t have to bring you down, too. Keep your spirits up and manage what you can.
Excerpt: Difficult behavior from your loved one might be due simply to how she’s feeling or it can be related to a medical problem. Figuring out why the behavior exists can help you to deal with it more effectively.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring a professional caregiver in Amberley, OH, please contact the caring staff at Queen City Elder Care today. Serving Cincinnati and Surrounding Communities. Call Us Today (513) 510-4410.
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