Managing Dementia Related Personality Changes

AlzheimerΓÇÖs disease causes brain cells to die, so the brain works less well over time. This changes how a person acts. Here, from the National Institute on Aging, are suggestions that may help you understand and cope with changes in personality and behavior in a person with AlzheimerΓÇÖs disease.

Common personality and behavior changes you may see include:

ΓÇó Getting upset, worried, and angry more easily

ΓÇó Acting depressed or not interested in things

ΓÇó Hiding things or believing other people are hiding things

ΓÇó Imagining things that arenΓÇÖt there

ΓÇó Wandering away from home

ΓÇó Pacing a lot

ΓÇó Showing unusual sexual behavior

ΓÇó Hitting you or other people

ΓÇó Misunderstanding what he or she sees or hears

You also may notice that the person stops caring about how he or she looks, stops bathing, and wants to wear the same clothes every day.

In addition to changes in the brain, other things may affect how people with AlzheimerΓÇÖs behave:

ΓÇó Feelings such as sadness, fear, stress, confusion, or anxiety

ΓÇó Health-related problems, including illness, pain, new medications, or lack of sleep

ΓÇó Other physical issues like infections, constipation, hunger or thirst, or problems
seeing or hearing

ΓÇó Problems in their surroundings, like too much noise or being in an unfamiliar place

If you donΓÇÖt know what is causing the problem, call the doctor. It could be caused by a physical or medical issue.

Caregivers cannot stop AlzheimerΓÇÖs-related changes in personality and behavior, but they can learn to cope with them. Here are some tips:

ΓÇó Keep things simple. Ask or say one thing at a time.

ΓÇó Have a daily routine, so the person knows when certain things will happen.

ΓÇó Reassure the person that he or she is safe and you are there to help.

ΓÇó Focus on his or her feelings rather than words. For example, say, ΓÇ£You seem worried.ΓÇ¥

ΓÇó DonΓÇÖt argue or try to reason with the person.

ΓÇó Try not to show your frustration or anger. If you get upset, take deep breaths and count to 10. If itΓÇÖs safe, leave the room for a few minutes.

ΓÇó Use humor when you can.

ΓÇó Give people who pace a lot a safe place to walk.

ΓÇó Try using music, singing, or dancing to distract the person.

ΓÇó Ask for help. For instance, say, ΓÇ£LetΓÇÖs set the tableΓÇ¥ or ΓÇ£I need help folding the clothes.ΓÇ¥

Talk with the personΓÇÖs doctor about problems like hitting, biting, depression, or hallucinations. Medications are available to treat some behavioral symptoms.

For more caregiving tips and other resources:

ΓÇó Read Caring for a Person with AlzheimerΓÇÖs Disease.

ΓÇó Visit About AlzheimerΓÇÖs Disease: Caregiving.

ΓÇó Call The AlzheimerΓÇÖs Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center toll-free: 1-800-438-4380. The ADEAR Center is a service of the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health. The Center offers information and publications for families, caregivers, and professionals about AlzheimerΓÇÖs disease and age-related cognitive changes.