Try: Encourage the cr to think before he or she reacts to something practice thinking out loud role play a situation while you think out loud about what you are doing ask the cr to do the same go on an outing such as the grocery store or the park and continue the role play while you think out loud for example as you walk past a park bench with people sitting say this to the cr i’m walking by a park bench and i will smile at the people sitting there as i continue to walk then do so take turns with the role play on your outing

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Impulsivity impulse impulse control disorder icd sudden thought impromptu role play

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

Try: Depending on the cr’s condition it may not be wise to leave him alone in the tub or shower remove the locks from the bathroom door use plastic instead of glass containers in the bathtub make sure hairdryers electric razors and other electrical appliances are out of reach use non-slip bathmats on the floor on the outside of the bathtub so the floors remain dry try using a rubber mat or non-skid decals on the bottom of the tub or shower try draining the bathtub if the cr has a fear of falling try using a hand-held spray attachment on a flexible hose can convert the tub into a shower adjustable safety benches or bath chairs which have holes in the seat so water can drain can be used in both the tub and shower

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Caregiver Needs&Support, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from understanding difficult behaviors robinson a spencer b & white l

Keywords: Bathing

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

Try: Ask cr what the problem is determine if the cr cr’s mood or behavior is real perhaps you do not understand the situation if there is a real issue or problem ask cr how you can help work together with the cr to come up with a mutually beneficial solution write down what happened in a journal so that you can remember what intervention worked when the cr becomes cranky in the future you may be able to resolve the problem quickly by using the same intervention that worked before

Materials: Notebook pen and pencil

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

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the internet website wikihow com how to deal with a cranky senior citizen by loryn s flickety and tom viren 2009

Keywords: Bad mood moody cranky mad irritable

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

Try: Observe assess and log the cr’s behavior such as when the accidents happen how often and if the cr is urinating in improper places such as flower pots closets the sink or on the way to the bathroom the sensation to drink fluids may be diminished in crs with dementia therefore you need to ensure that the cr has adequate fluid intake set up a regular schedule with specific times for the cr to drink and eat determine toileting behavior then set up a schedule to accommodate the cr before he she needs to urinate toilet before and after meals and immediately before going to bed make sure the cr actually urinates before getting off the toilet use appropriate communication skills with the cr do one step at a time to communicate the instructions of how to toilet watch for nonverbal cues from the cr such as reaching for a belt tugging at zipper or taking pants down don’t forget to praise the cr for success in getting to the toilet on time and avoid reprimanding when there is an accident simplify clothing by using an elastic waistband velcro instead of zippers or buttons also select clothing that is washable and does not need ironing wearing underwear or adult disposable underwear will help remind the cr to stay dry and to use the toilet when wet change clothing when wet keeping the cr’s skin clean after an accident to avoid rashes and sores put a sign on the bathroom door using a familiar word such as ‘bathroom’ or a picture of a toilet large enough for the cr to see

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Personal, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from understanding difficult behaviors robinson a spencer b & white l 1992

Keywords: Incontinence going to the bathroom

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

Try: Look for the positive attributes of the cr especially if the cg knows the cr pretty well if cg knows the cr it will be easy to remember his or her good qualities be aware that many things in society are not easy for the cr for example the cr has to deal with a fast pace of life rudeness or abruptness when seeking goods and services filling out forms that are in small print payment needed for things that they often cannot afford being made to deal with traffic stairs and other obstacles that are suited to younger fitter people but do not lend themselves easily to older persons with disabilities or slower reaction times etc cg should try to put himself in cr’s shoes when cg feels upset with the cr and it should help cg to see a part of why the cr might be angry or irritable try to understand that the cr may be irritable because others may have treated the cr poorly offer assistance with simple tasks that could be troublesome for the cr like filling out small print forms ask if cg can pick up any items from the grocery store ask cr if he is having pain and offer to help reduce the pain realize some medications can cause irritability as a side effect

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: how to deal with a cranky senior citizen by loryn s flickety and tom viren 2009 available at

Keywords: Bad mood moody cranky mad irritable

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

Try: Try to get an elderly family member or friend to become involved in activities with the cr find activities that interest the cr or ask about hobbies the cr once loved help drive or walk cr to activities purchase hobby items large print books and papers books on tape or safe activities to get cr enthused introduce cr to new hobbies if cr is able cg can introduce cr to the internet cr might enjoy looking up old friends research genealogy etc contact a senior center and inquire what activities are available and find out a schedule of events

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: how to deal with a cranky senior citizen by loryn s flickety and tom viren 2009 available at

Keywords: Bad mood moody cranky mad irritable

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

Try: Try to identify what triggered the aggression so that the trigger can be eliminated or modified as soon as possible react in a calm reassuring way focus on the cr cr’s feelings reduce environmental distractions as much as possible like loud noises or potentially frightening shadows or movements redirect the cr to an enjoyable activity

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: tips for dealing with specific dementia problematic behaviors by carrie hill and natalie reiss 2008 available at

Keywords: Hits hitting mad slaps aggressive aggression upset

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

Try: Even if being direct with the cr results in an apology confession or resolution for change realize that people with this personality problem hate confrontation and will say just about anything to shut others’ up don’t believe a change in the cr’s behavior until the caregiver (cg) sees it multiple times

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: how to deal with passive-aggressive relatives 2008 available at

Keywords: Passive aggressive sarcastic remarks hurt feelings critical fake apology

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

Try: Don’t bring up a whole bunch of past passive-aggressive behaviors this will only get the caregiver (cg) upset and the cg needs to stay calm to deal with the cr focus on the current problem

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Communication, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: how to deal with passive-aggressive relatives 2008 available at

Keywords: Passive aggressive sarcastic remarks hurt feelings critical negative

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

Try: Don’t follow up with another sarcastic or critical remark walk away from the cr ignore the remark or comment

Materials: n/a

Categories: Sage, Topic, Behavior Challenging, Emotional Psychological

Information: n/a

References: how to deal with passive-aggressive relatives 2008 available at

Keywords: Passive aggressive sarcastic remarks

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