Try: #increased agitation can be associated with increased fears and anxieties pain depression frustration with loss of motor skills or difficulties carrying out activities of daily living #if a cr is losing the ability to remember and put things into words signs of agitation may replace language as a way of communicating needs for things like going to the bathroom getting pain relief eating or drinking #respond to a cr cr’s agitation by keeping your own emotional response somewhat low keep your body language and tone of voice gentle and unexcited avoid responding to anger or accusations and focus instead on addressing the cr cr’s needs #address the cr cr’s needs by running through the list of the things the cr might be needing and asking directly do you need to go to the bathroom do you need to be changed do you need a pill did something upset you #depending on the cr cr’s level of confusion and you may need to respond by being more assertive why don’t i take you to the bathroom now just in case you haven’t had a drink for three hours here is some juice tell me when i’m touching the place that hurts #when confusion and forgetfulness are profound agitation may be the only sign of pain or infection something to keep in mind when evaluating the cr cr’s condition #staying focused on the cr cr’s underlying needs may improve communication and keep the conflict between the two of you low #remember the cr has fewer and fewer ways to address his or her own needs and perhaps fewer ways to express them agitation serves a purpose #manage your own stress so your whole life is not taken over by the cr cr’s changing situation keep some time and activity in your day and your week to yourself

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Categories: Communication, Emotional Psychological, Mobility, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, Some Supervision, Maximum Supervision, Verbal Communication, So-So Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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