Care recipient (cr) often yells and threatens to get what he she wants

Try: Try to focus on the positive attributes of the bully and try to ignore the negative parts try to be confident and look cr in the eye speak in a calm and clear voice while asserting yourself by naming the behavior you don’t like and state what is expected instead try to create a distraction or change the subject try using humor or a well chosen word to disarm cr try giving cr cr’s ego what it needs for instance find something to praise cr fo give him her more credit and acknowledgement for things he she does well while this tactic is a little manipulatory it may decrease the number of times cr acts agressively and it allowed

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: how to deal with difficult people part 2 – the bully by tony fiore 2005 available at www howtodealwithdifficultpeople com

Keywords: Yells yelling bullies threatens aggressive aggression upset mad angry challenging behavior frustrated frustration

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Care recipient (cr) constantly asks the same question or repeats him herself over and over

Try: Try to be reassuring to cr his her repetition may be due to feeling anxious or upset about something for example if cr constantly asks about his her dead spouse or close friend it may be because cr is worried that he she doesn’t have anyone to take care of him her try reassuring cr by saying something like don’t worry i’m here and i’ll always be here for you and take care of you try asking cr how he she is feeling if cr repeats questions about the next doctor doctor’s appointment it may mean that cr has health concerns or is afraid of the doctor try to focus on the emotion rather than the behavior instead of simply answering cr’s questions every time they’re asked reply with words of comfort for example when cr wants to know who you are say in a calm soothing voice who you are and assure him her that everything is fine that you’re there and will take care of him her add that there will be plenty of food tonight and that heshe is fortunate to have such a great doctor if words don’t help you may be able to ease cr’s fears by putting on music giving a shoulder massage taking a walk outside or another pleasant diversion try making flash cards with answers to cr’s common questions then when cr asks the question just flash the card in front of him her this may help you be less frustrated by staying silent instead of saying quit walking around the kitchen you might suggest that the two of you take a walk outdoors but — very important — you should also ask yourself if the behavior really needs to be stopped for example cr may feel competent and helpful when he she is folding that towel 50 times and the towel won’t mind either

Materials: Flash cards marker

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: repetitive behavior and alzheimer’s by beth witrogen 2012 available at www consumer healthday com

Keywords: Repeats repetitive behavior

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Care recipient (cr) is constantly asking or doing the same thing

Try: Try looking for patterns keep a log to determine if the behavior occurs at a certain time of day or night or whether particular people or events seem to trigger it try to keep track so you can tell whether cr might be hungry cold tired in pain or in need of a trip to the bathroom try to determine whether cr may be in pain or suffering from the side effects of medication try to speak slowly and gently and wait for cr to respond try to avoid pointing out thatcr just asked the same question try to steer cr with a favorite activity cr may just be bored and need something to do try to build some calming activities into the day such as taking walks together the exercise and fresh air will be good for both of you try using signs notes and calendars to help decrease anxiety and uncertainty cr may not need to ask about dinner if a note on the table says dinner is at 6 30 p m try talking with friends or joining a face-to-face or online support group to vent your frustrations and learn other ways of coping with cr’s repetitive behaviors

Materials: Pen and paper

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: n/a

References: repetitive behavior and alzheimer’s by beth witrogen 2012 available at www consumer healthday com

Keywords: Repeats repetitive behavior obsessed fixations fixated

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Care recipient (cr) says inappropriate things that are hurtful to or anger others

Try: Try writing in a journal keep a pad of paper and a pen in your car whenever you’re afraid you might say something you’d regret go to your car and write out everything you’d like to say but never could writing is a cathartic physical way of getting it out of your system when you arrive home tear it up or burn it you wouldn’t want cr to find it and become more difficult consider taking a seminar on dealing with difficult people consider that sometimes you get what you give try to swallow your pride and give sincere warranted appreciation to cr when he she deserves it sometimes cr may be being difficult because he she feels under appreciated try to choose your battles would you rather be right or would you rather be happy there are times when you won’t get your way let it go know when to speak up and when to move on

Materials: Bound spiral notebook and pen

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: A recent picture and description of cr a current list of medications and past medications if known a copy of the criteria for emergency evaluations and civil commitments in your jurisdiction a doctor psychiatrist or social worker can help you get this information if possible ask cr to sign a medical release form that allows you to see his her medical information

References: 10 tips for dealing with difficult people by colleen kettenhofen 2001 available at www howtodealwithdifficultpeople com

Keywords: Challenging behavior rude negative arguementative argue

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Care recipient (cr) often says or does things on purpose to get on others’ nerves

Try: Try not to lose emotional control stay calm cr is purposely trying to rattle your cage and ruffle your feathers don’t give him her the reaction he she wants from you try to think before you speak once those words are out they’re pretty hard to take back try to listen more and talk less let cr vent – within reason once you’ve let cr vent he she is more likely to listen to you because he she has gotten it all out of his her system try to step back and analyze the situation from an outside perspective when you’re less emotionally involved and cool your jets the answers come for how to effectively deal with cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: A recent picture and description of cr a current list of medications and past medications if known a copy of the criteria for emergency evaluations and civil commitments in your jurisdiction a doctor psychiatrist or social worker can help you get this information if possible ask cr to sign a medical release form that allows you to see his her medical information

References: 10 tips for dealing with difficult people by colleen kettenhofen 2001 available at www howtodealwithdifficultpeople com

Keywords: Challenging behavior rude negative arguementative argue

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Care recipient (cr) gets irritable and sometimes has outbursts of anger

Try: Try to remain calm reacting emotionally may make things worse try asking cr to stop yelling and offer him or her other ways of getting your attention try to understand that it is cr’s medical condition that is triggering the outbursts and angry words try not to take it personally try to identify the situation or person that seems to trigger outbursts and then use that

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: To reduce the incidents try to use established routines to help you manage cr’s irritability and outbursts routines give you a reason to stand your ground and set reasonable limits on behavior outbursts can get out of control if you fear violence do not hesitate to leave or call for help remember safety first try to identify circumstances that trigger outbursts in order to avoid them consider finding a support group for yourself so that you have an outlet for your own frustrations and feelings

References: a caregiver’s guide to huntington’s disease by huntington’s disease society of america 2011 available at www hdsa org

Keywords: Outbursts irritability irritable irritated angrym upset mad cursing foul language challenging behaviors

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Care recipient (cr) often has unpredictable behaviors that may lead to a crisis situation

Try: Try creating a file that contains items you might need in a crisis situation this crisis management file may include phone numbers for the doctor or psychiatrist a one-page psychiatric and medical history summary a copy of insurance card or policy

Materials: File folder pen and paper

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: A recent picture and description of cr a current list of medications and past medications if known a copy of the criteria for emergency evaluations and civil commitments in your jurisdiction a doctor psychiatrist or social worker can help you get this information if possible ask cr to sign a medical release form that allows you to see his her medical information

References: a caregiver’s guide to huntington’s disease by huntington’s disease society of america 2011 available at www hdsa org

Keywords: Crisis emergency challenging behavior behavior problems outbursts emotional

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Care recipient’s cr behavior has become seriously aggressive and or violent

Try: Do not hesitate to call for help or leave the house try to find a safe room with a locking door in the house where you can retreat until help arrives if you call 911 be sure to explain that cr is not in control of his her actions

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: A recent picture and description of cr a current list of medications and past medications if known a copy of the criteria for emergency evaluations and civil commitments in your jurisdiction a doctor psychiatrist or social worker can help you get this information if possible ask cr to sign a medical release form that allows you to see his her medical information

References: a caregiver’s guide to huntington’s disease by huntington’s disease society of america 2011 available at www hdsa org

Keywords: Agression aggressive violent violence angry outbursts uncontrollable behavior challenging behaviors

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Care recipient (cr) often tries to pick fights with others and is a very difficult person to be around

Try: Try to accept change or reject for example try to understand that you only have three choices in a difficult situation and when dealing with cr’s difficult behavior accept the situation knowing it may never change attempt to change your relationship with cr by first changing how you perceive him her and how you react reject in other words if the situation with cr is really affecting your well-being it may be time to reject the situation and move on

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Personal, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

Information: A recent picture and description of cr a current list of medications and past medications if known a copy of the criteria for emergency evaluations and civil commitments in your jurisdiction a doctor psychiatrist or social worker can help you get this information if possible ask cr to sign a medical release form that allows you to see his her medical information

References: 10 tips for dealing with difficult people by colleen kettenhofen 2001 available at www howtodealwithdifficultpeople com

Keywords: Argumentative argue challenging behavior rude negative

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Care recipient (cr) gets caught up with one idea or activity

Try: Try not to dismiss the concern attempt to reassure the cr if the cr is obsessed with a specific person try asking that person to discuss the concerns with the cr ask a family member to discuss the concerns with cr sometimes a non-family member can get better results establish routines for example locking the door and leaving the house the same way each time this will allow you to reassure the cr that the task has been completed set fixed time limits for example scheduling a certain time and number of minutes to talk about the topic each day read some material on obsessive compulsive disorders ocd or delusions this may help you better understand cr and not get so frustrated when he or she obsesses or repeats

Materials: Books or internet resources on obsessive compulsive disorders ocd or delusions

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from www hdsa org a caregiver’s guide to huntington’s disease by huntington’s disease society of america 2011

Keywords: Fixations obsessions repetition repeats false beliefs false accusations obsessive compulsive delusions delusional

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed