How to Manage Extreme Behavior of Seniors


Some family caregivers find it extremely hard to take care of their senior loved ones who might embarrass them or are difficult to interact with. Seniors might hallucinate, yell, or complain about everything which can disturb the mental wellbeing of family caregivers, especially if they have no prior experience in caregiving older adults. Here are the examples of extreme behaviors Clearwater Home Care experts have to manage when caregiving an older adult which you should know about.

Shouting Angrily

Old age and diseases can make seniors furious or act harshly at times and they often lash out to family caregivers. Seniors might be impatient and demand things after every few minutes which can be taxing for family caregivers. It is better to find the underlying reason for anger among older adults which might be losing a spouse or independence, having bipolar disorder, or experiencing the negative effects of aging. Several diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s can also change the behavior of seniors and trigger outbursts.

Abusing Behavior

Family caregivers can feel disgusted if their senior loved ones start abusing for minor reasons. Seniors might get frustrated if they have a disability or limited mobility and scream at family caregivers from time to time. There are common stories about seniors who verbally abuse their family caregivers and sometimes throw things at their faces. Some seniors have borderline personality or narcissistic disorder and they release frustrations by yelling loudly at anyone they could find.

Strange Obsessions

There are several types of strange obsessions among seniors who reach the golden years. Your aging loved one might start scratching his or her skin vigorously or have other neurological problems such as anxiety, dementia, Alzheimer’s, or depression which can disrupt their daily routine. The extreme behavior in seniors can be due to these age-related diseases which can change their daily routine. There can be some events or activities which may trigger challenging behavior in seniors.

Hoarding

Seniors who hoard might experience the symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s even if it is making their life difficult. If your elderly loved one is on the verge of Alzheimer’s, he or she may start hoarding. For instance, seniors develop a habit of collecting things to hold onto their memories or don’t want to throw things out. It can be hard for you to reason with your senior loved one if he or she is hoarding excessively. You can seek a counselor or therapist who can talk to your senior loved one about his or her habit of hoarding.

If it is overwhelming for you to manage your loved one’s behavior or daily tasks, consider home care. Clearwater family caregivers can greatly benefit and receive respite by hiring a part-time caregiver who is expertly trained in providing tailored care.


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