| Alzheimer's patients express their anger by yelling, | | | | had put her in a mental institution and was furious. |
| swearing, pushing, shoving, waving their arms, and | | | | When I visited her one afternoon I observed her |
| in some instances, throwing things. These | | | | sundowning behavior. She paced back and forth |
| behaviors not only disturb others, they are | | | | and looked out the window nervously. Later |
| threatened by them. Caregivers must learn how | | | | conversations revealed that she was having |
| to manage anger to ensure the safety of all. I | | | | hallucinations. |
| learned this when I was my mother's family | | | | Similar behavior is described in an article, |
| caregiver. | | | | "Sundowners Syndrome," published on the |
| For nine years, I felt like my mother was dying | | | | Alzheimer's A Place for Mom website. Caregivers |
| right before my eyes. The intelligent, sensible, | | | | can dispel anger by sticking to a routine, |
| calm parent of my childhood became verbally and | | | | monitoring diet, controlling noise, opening curtains |
| physically aggressive. Her conversation was | | | | to let light in, and turning on more lights. |
| peppered with swear words and I was shocked | | | | Redirecting the person (reading to him or her, |
| when she yelled, "Go to hell!" I was astonished | | | | playing soft music, giving them a glass of juice) |
| when the assisted living staff told me she was | | | | may also help. |
| involved in a fist fight. I was embarrassed when | | | | Exercise also helps to quell anger, according to |
| she stole someone's teddy bear. | | | | "Managing Common Symptoms and Problems, an |
| Who was this person? | | | | article on the Help Guide website. But it has to be |
| Gradually, I learned to tell the difference between | | | | regular and purposeful exercise. My mother did |
| the anger of confusion and the anger of | | | | not like the exercise activities, yet she |
| self-defense. According to "Anger Management | | | | participated in them. One activity involved sitting in |
| Therapy for Dementia Patients," an article on the | | | | a circle and throwing a ball. "Don't they think I can |
| Answers 4 Alzheimer's website, some patients | | | | catch a ball?" she asked. |
| become so angry they stop talking. Others yell | | | | In the later stages of the disease Alzheimer's |
| and gesture excitedly when they become upset. | | | | patients may become belligerent and aggressive. |
| Anger management therapy, the ability to | | | | Caregivers have to protect Alzheimer's patients |
| understand consequences and redirect anger, | | | | from harming themselves, the article notes. |
| helps some patients. | | | | Provoked as you may be (and my mother |
| But the problem with anger management therapy | | | | certainly provoked me), do not answer |
| is that the person has to remember it. My | | | | accusations, confront the person, or discuss angry |
| mother could barely remember her name. From | | | | behavior. "The person with dementia cannot |
| the caregiver's perspective, anger management | | | | reflect on their unacceptable behavior and cannot |
| may look like futile effort. Though the therapy | | | | learn to control it." |
| may be only partially successful, the article says | | | | Get some help if the patient is overly aggressive. |
| "any progress is undoubtedly helpful." | | | | You may also say, "I have to leave now, but will |
| Anger may be a sign of sundowning, the late | | | | come back later," and walk away. Caregivers |
| afternoon mood changes, agitation, fear, pacing | | | | need to remain calm and look for aggression |
| and rocking that many patients experience. After | | | | patterns, such as the anger of sundowning. |
| my mother threatened to run away her doctor | | | | Remember, anger comes comes from the |
| transferred her to nursing care. Mom thought I | | | | disease and not the person. |