Try: The elderly Care recipient (cr) is particularly vulnerable to con artists and others who target him or her for financial fradulent schemes and material exploitation some seniors tend to be very trusting of others and this works to their disadvantage in these situations in some cases the cr may have impaired mental and physical capacites that make it easier for the con artist to swindle caregivers need to look out for the following red flags and investigate further if financial fraud or material exploitation is suspected this list is not all inclusive sudden changes in bank accounts or banking practices including unexplained withdrawals of large sums of money by a person accompanying the cr the inclusion of additional names on the cr cr’s bank signature card unauthorized withdrawal of the cr cr’s funds using his or her atm card abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions substandard care being provided or bills unpaid despite the availability of adequate financial resources discovery of the cr cr’s forged signature for financial transactions or for the titles of his or her possessions sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming their rights to the cr cr’s financial affairs and possessions unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family the provision of services that are not necessary the cr cr’s report of financial fraud or material exploitation information references

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Financial

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Financial abuse and material exploitation

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

Try: Some care recipients crs with dementia may have problems with verbal noises this may include yelling screaming repetition of recognizable words speaking nonsense talking incoherently moaning and whistling this behavior is often disturbing to others and the meaning or significance may be unclear the following are potential causes of verbal noise problems in the cr with dementia physiological or medical causes hunger incontinence needing to go to the bathroom fatigue needing to change position in bed or wheelchair vision or hearing loss impaired ability to speak or be understood acute medical problems environmental causes noise overstimulation use of physical restraints behavior of others usch as aggression screaming and verbal abuse that cause the cr to be upset afraid or feel threatened other causes uncomfortable procedures such as enemas catherization bathing or dressing where the cr may feel exposed the purpose of oral hygiene is not understood touching turning and repositioning the cr cr is uncomfortable or misunderstood cr is afraid anxious and feels threatened cr feels a need for attention or is frustrated cr is bored and lacks stimulation information references

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Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: n/a

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

Try: Wandering can occur in care recipients cr with dementia nighttime wandering is a special problem in that the risk to the cr can be greater the following are possible causes of wandering in crs inability to separate dreams from reality inactivity; too much sleep during the day adverse reactions to tranquilizers inability to differentiate day and night disorientation to time – upon awakening the older adult thinks it is time to get up improper lighting in the cr’s living area have the cr examined by a physician if wandering issues persist information references mace n & rabins p 1999 the 36-hour day baltimore the johns hopkins university press robinson a spencer b & white l 1992 understanding difficult behaviors ypsilanti mi eastern michigan university

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Dementia

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

Try: Wandering can occur in care recipients crs with dementia the following are possible causes of this behavior physiological or medical causes direct result of physical changes in brain inability to identify or express hunger reaction to sedatives tranquilizers or the interaction of medications physical discomfort due to pain infection constipation bruises seizures resulting in aimless confusing wandering need to use bathroom desire to exercise dehydration contributing to confusion ane wandering stress environmental causes temperature is uncomfortable too hot or too cold can’t make sense of the environment sensory overload too many people or activities or excessive noise sensory deprivation too quiet and bored poor lighting resulting in shadows which are misinterpreted or frightening feels closed in and trapped friend or family member out of sight desire to leave where one is that is triggered by seeing outdoor clothing such as coat hats boots etc getting lost sometimes crs with dementia suddenly begin losing their way to familiar places and become lost inability to recognize new and unfamiliar surroundings for example attending new day care program feels tension in the environment other causes task too difficult feels useless helpless while watching others do task inability to follow through on task bored with activity or lack of activity your anger tension or impatience is sensed your touching the cr is frightening or misinterpreted you are speaking too quickly directions from you are not understood the cr is searching for home or people from the past information references mace n & rabins p 1999 the 36-hour day baltimore the johns hopkins university press robinson a spencer b & white l 1992 understanding difficult behaviors ypsilanti mi eastern michigan university

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Dementia

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

Try: Care recipients cr often experience issues with eating or loss of appetite the following is a list of possible causes physiological or medical causes dry mouth parkinson’s disease mouth discomfort from gum disease or ill fitting dentures vision changes – cannot see food or utensils properly chronic illness causing loss of appetite e g diabetes heart disease etc acute illness causing loss of appetite e g urinary infection pneumonia etc constipation causing loss of appetite depression causing loss of appetite changed sense of taste from age or medications muscles of jaw or throat no longer working properly due to motor abilities declining in advanced dementia hunger sensation from stomach no longer understood or received by brain due to brain changes in dementia side effect of medications such as antidepressants day and night sleep patterns reversed doesn’t remember to eat agitation environmental causes relocation to new environment poor lighting – unable to see food and utensils too many distractions such as noise people too much on the plate or table boredom may cause desire to eat all the time food looks or smells unappetizing odors in dining room such as urine or cleaning fluids depress appetite other causes no longer understand how to eat can no longer coordinate use of silverware caregiver not giving simple or clear enough instructions task too complicated feeling of being rushed by caregiver caregiver’s tension or impatience sensed by person fear or anxiety if the problems persist have the cr see a physician information references

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Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Eating

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

Try: A Care recipient (cr) with dementia can exhibit repetitive behavior due to his or her condition understanding the causes of repetitive behavior can help you come up with an intervention potential causes of repetitive behavior are as follows physiological or medical causes direct result of physical changes in brain reaction to sedatives tranquilizers or the interaction of medications memory loss from disease sometimes a cr with alzheimer’s disease no longer has the ability to remember that he or she is repeating behavior environmental causes separation or loss of loved one causing constant questions such as where’s my husband can’t make sense of environment other potential causes misunderstanding of what’s happening expressed in questions such as "what are you doing " inability to express a need such as hunger or having to go to the bathroom hunger may be expressed by a question such as "what’s for lunch " often the need to urinate is expressed in fiddling with clothing or increased agitation difficulty expressing emotions such as fear anger or insecurity information references mace n & rabins p 1999 the 36-hour day baltimore the johns hopkins university press robinson a spencer b & white l 1992 understanding difficult behaviors ypsilanti mi eastern michigan university

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Dementia

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

Try: Care recipients cr with dementia often display a wide array of feelings and emotions it can be difficult for a caregiver to deal with the cr’s emotions by identifying the possible causes the caregiver may make life easier for the cr possible causes of emotional issues in crs with dementia physiological or medical causes direct result of physical changes in brain reaction to sedatives tranquilizers or the interaction of medications the cr’s medications can have significant side effects depression depression is increasingly common among older individuals have the cr examined by a physician to see if the underlying causes of emotional problems can be determined information references mace n & rabins p 1999 the 36-hour day baltimore the johns hopkins university press robinson a spencer b & white l 1992 understanding difficult behaviors ypsilanti mi eastern michigan university

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Dementia

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

Try: Incontinence is a common problem in many older individuals here are some possible methods to reduce incontinence issues in the Care recipient (cr) observe assess and log the cr’s behavior such as when the accidents happen how often is the person urinating in improper places such as flower pots closets sink or on the way to the bathroom the cr should be examined by a physician to determine possible causes such as medication infections or other medical cause and conduct a continence diagnostic evaluation the sensation to drink fluids in persons with dementia may be diminished; ensure adequate fluid intake in the cr set up a regular schedule with specific times for the person 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 person 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 older adult such as reaching for a belt tugging at zipper or taking pants down don’t forget to praise the older adult for success while avoiding reprimanding when the older adult has had an accident simplify clothing by using elastic waistband velcro instead of zippers or buttons also select clothing that is washable and does not need ironing wearing underpants or disposable undergarments serves as a reminder to stay dry and as a stimulus to use the toilet when wet change clothing when wet keeping the cr’s skin clean after the 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 information references adapted from understanding difficult behaviors robinson a spencer b & white l 1992

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Incontinence

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

Try: Angry or agitated behavior are common in persons suffering from dementia however the behavior can be caused by a number of factors other than dementia physiological or medical causes fatigue at time of request activity or event loss of control over behaviors due to physical changes in the brain adverse side effects of medications such as psychotropics sedatives or tranquilizers impaired vision or hearing causing the older adult to misinterprets sights and sounds hallucinations environmental causes sensory overload such as noise activity or clutter or too many people in environment unfamiliar people place or sounds sudden movements startling noises when familiar person is out of sight the older adult may feel abandoned difficulty adjusting to darkness from well lighted area and vice versa other causes response to caregiver’s impatience stress irritability person scolded confronted contradicted surprised by unexpected physical contact inability to perform what was once a simple task – for example buttoning clothing instructions unclear or too complicated change in schedule or routine attention span too short for task information references

Materials: n/a

Categories: Behavior Challenging, Medical Physical, Personal, Social

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Alzheimer alzheimer’s disease dementia

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

Try: Rudeness is a display of inappropriate behavior when proper social etiquette is not followed rude behavior can be an issue with any individual or age group however rude behavior is frequently exhibited by elderly persons while elderly persons may suffer from lapses in social etiquette they are not necessarily trying to be rude rudeness can be simply a result of the individual’s temperament or personality however it can also be the result of changes in the brain or mental processes over time changes in the brain can potentially weaken an elderly individual’s ability to determine appropriate behavior and communication if rudeness is a problem for the Care recipient (cr) you can try this remove the cr from the situation if the rudeness is being directed at others who are bothered by the behavior however this should be done tactfully so that the cr is not embarrased by it provide a distraction or redirect the cr into another activity when the cr is in a relaxed state of mind kindly and gently discuss the rude behavior and why it is inappropriate continue monitoring and coaching the cr to modify the rude behavior this may or may not work depending on the cr cr’s specific circumstances there may be causes for the behavior that are out of the cr cr’s control encourage the cr to get regular checkups with the doctor to rule out any medical causes for the rude behavior information references

Materials: n/a

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

Information: n/a

References: n/a

Keywords: Behavior temperment

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