Try: Go for a walk or a drive getting out even for a short time is helpful upon returning home cr often recognizes it as home respond to the emotion being expressed for example are you feeling scared or i know you are lonely offer reassurance look at photo album with pictures of cr cr’s childhood reminiscing about the past may ease tension and anxiety try redirecting cr cr’s attention with an activity food music a walk or other exercise

Materials: Family photo albums

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Wandering wanders wants to go home wants to leave distracted distractions challenging behavior disoriented disorientation

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

Try: Maintain a consistent routine involve cr in a regular activities program give repetitious chores to perform such as folding towels winding yarn dusting give cr reassurance when cr is totally dependent on cg and cg sometimes cannot be seen cr may then become distressed and panic

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Shadowing follows me around panic distressed challenging behavior distracted distraction

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

Try: Avoid trying to convince cr that his her delusions are not real instead display sensitivity to his her feelings by saying things such as this must feel very frightening to you, how can i be of some help lower the stimulation in the room background noise such as a radio may be contributing to distractions or hallucinations reduce movement in the surrounding area too much movement may distract or distress cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, 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: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Challenging behavior delusions delusional upset hallucinations hallucinates sees things hears things

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

Try: Allow space for cr to exit invite cr to go outside as long as further agitation isn’t a possibility provide a safe environment for both cr and the care giver

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, 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: n/a

References: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Distressed agitated agitation upset delusions delusional hallucinations hallucinates anger

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

Try: Set firm boundaries take the necessary measures to keep cr and others around him her safe leave the area if necessary try not to argue or increase the stress level let cr know in a calm manner that the care giver cg will not tolerate anyone getting hurt including cr

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, 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: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Threats threaten violence anger harm

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

Try: Speak in a calm slow voice give directions one at a time and in a clear manner explain things in a simple direct way avoid sarcasm avoid statements that could be confusing

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, Good Verbal Comm, 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: mental health mental illness healthy aging a nh guide for older adults and caregivers by nami nh 2001 available at www nami org

Keywords: Challenging behavior angerm agitated agitation mad hostility hostile belligerent belligerence

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

Try: Simplify the environment avoid clutter identify situations sounds or patterns that cause aggression and avoid them when possible decrease the number of items placed in front of cr during an activity or at mealtime avoid confusion and hurry avoid overstimulation be alert for a possible illness or pain that may be causing the behavior

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, 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: n/a

References: managing challenging behaviors in people with alzheimer’s by mayo clinic on alzheimer alzheimer’s disease petersen ronald ed 2002 available at www christianacare org

Keywords: Behavior aggression confusion derogatory towards others disinhibited behavior disobedient misbehaves embarrassing public behavior distractibility distracted

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

Try: If cr becomes aggressive remember that it is the medical issue he she is dealing with, not the person, causing the behavior avoid confrontation be positive and reassuring and speak with a quiet soothing voice if cr becomes physically aggressive back away it may help to say something such as please don’t hurt me avoid restraining cr such as holding his her hands or arms but do what is best to remain safe if aggression becomes a concern remove heavy or sharp objects from the environment and keep them out of sight

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Cognitive Intellectual, Communication, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Poor Verbal Comm, 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: n/a

References: managing challenging behaviors in people with alzheimer’s by mayo clinic on alzheimer alzheimer’s disease petersen ronald ed 2002 available at www christianacare org

Keywords: Hostility belligerence aggressive aggression hostile behavior acts out mad angry anger hysterical emotional status distractibility distracted

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

Try: Limit solid fat reduce the amount of solid fats like butter margarine or shortening when cooking or serving eat leaner proteins use healthier alternatives change high-fat foods for lower-fat options when cooking use liquid oils like canola olive safflower or sunflower and substitute two egg whites for one whole egg in a recipe read labels closely read food labels before buying or cooking many snacks even those claiming to reduced fat may be made with oils containing trans fats look closely for hidden fats change the cr’s habits the best way to avoid saturated or trans fats is to change your eating habits instead of chips snack on fruit or vegetables cook healthier recipes and eat healthy portions

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Diet food healthy eating

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

Try: To control cooking for the cr when you prepare and cook meals at home you have better control over the nutritional content of the cr’s foods the following are tips for healthy food preparation materials try create a collection of recipes stock up on heart-healthy cookbooks and recipes for cooking ideas look cookbooks or the internet for ideas get in input from the cr many cr’s will like certain types of healthy food start with the cr’s suggestions use healthier cooking methods just as important as healthy ingredients is how you cook those foods into healthy meals bake or broil instead of deep fry cook in advance if needed when you’re cooking healthful meals make extra food for another meal this can save time and money it also allows for more healthy meals

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Helpguide org

Keywords: Diet food healthy cooking

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