People with dementia experience a range of emotions, and some of them can be very difficult. One of the most heartbreaking things to see when it comes to a loved one with dementia is uncontrollable screaming and crying. This could stem from feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and upset. When you see your loved one in an inconsolable state of mind, it is frustrating and painful not to be able to do anything and not knowing what is the best way to help. At senior living communities like The Trace which provides memory care as a living option, our team of professionals is well-equipped to handle people with dementia. Read on to find out more about how you should respond to your loved ones with dementia who cry often.
Understanding Their Behavior
The first thing you should try to do is to understand why those with dementia cry and tell. It can stem from a variety of reasons, which include:
- Frustration
- Boredom
- Pain
- Agitation
- Sadness
- Hallucinations, delusions, or delirium
- An environment that is disruptive
- Fear
- Sundowning
- Others
By understanding where their behavior stems from, you will be in a better position to respond to your loved ones and reassure them.
Short Term Tactics that May Help
When facing your loved one with dementia, here are some short-term tactics that may help calm them down:
- Understand why the outburst is happening and record down these outbursts to track possible triggers.
- Speak in a calm tone and remain soft and soothing when talking to those with dementia.
- Are there other nonverbal or verbal cues to pay attention to? For instance, are they holding a part of the body that may indicate they are in pain? Or do they need to use the restroom? Are they pointing to a particular thing in the bedroom?
When you respond to them, you will need to address their perceived need while using a calming technique. For example, you can turn on their favorite song and sing along with them, hold their hands or rub their shoulder or back to offer comfort, or even move to another area of the home for a change of environment. You could also provide them with a drink or a snack, or engage their help with simple tasks like folding towels and boxes.
Longer Term Solutions
For longer term solutions, you should speak to your loved one’s healthcare provider for advice, and review the notes you have taken down with them. Doctors are able to prescribe the necessary medication for your loved ones. Another solution to consider would be to bring your loved ones to a senior living community that offers Memory Care, such as The Trace. Here at The Trace, our team of professionals is experienced and trained to handle residents with dementia, and we do our best to ensure that they are feeling comfortable and always enjoying their stay with us. If you or your loved one are thinking about moving to a senior living community with memory care, feel free to contact us to find out more about what we have to offer today.
