Managing Difficult Alzheimer’s Behaviors

Managing Difficult Alzheimer’s Behaviors

Examples of Managing Difficult Alzheimer’s Behaviors

managing difficult alzheimer's behaviors

Managing Difficult Alzheimer’s Behaviors isn’t as easy as filling their
Smart Pill Box. For many, medication is the not the first choice. Try to manage Safely & Without Medications. Here are some examples of the difficult behavior one might experience:

  • Strange behaviors of Alzheimer’s and other dementia is stressful for the families.
  • Certain kinds of behaviors will try caregiver’s patience. In addition,. it will fray relationships. Finally, it will drive us in desperate search of help
  • He thinks I am stealing her phone and now she accused me of having an getting drunk or having an affair
  • When I tried to help Mom get washed up, she smacked me in the face
  • My husband follows me so closely Ii is driving me crazy
  • If iI leave the room she’ll will wander out of the house.
  • Dad started unbuttoning his pants in the middle of a store

Many will choose medication as the first approach

Most caregiver will use the medication approach. Hence, go right to medicating Dad. Top medications, tranquilizers, sedatives, or antipsychotics. However, medication can be risky and often not what’s best. To sum up, a common approach to difficult behaviors is needed.

It never fails. A the end of the day, when I’m completely exhausted Dad seems to get revved up. He keeps checking the windows and doors. Furthermore, he is 100% sure that someone is trying to break in. Now he won’t go to sleep.”

Terry B.
trying behavior management
trying behavior management

It is normal to feel high degrees of Frustration.

 Is the activity at hand frustrating because it’s too challenging or the person can’t remember how? Does he feel misunderstood when no one believes a delusion? The struggle to keep up and hold it together all day can take a toll; the person snaps.

Sponsored By Med-Q Medication Complaiance system

Alzheimer’ Care giving experts suggest trying behavior management before medications

behavior management
behavior management

In fact, experts recommend trying behavior management first. In short, there are many valid reasons. First, it has been shown to be better in the long run. Second, there are no dangerous side effects. Third, it ought to lead to a better relationship between patient and caregiver. This being said, family caregivers don’t know how to do this.

Family members’ experiences with Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia

There has been Lots of trial and error approaches. Getting insights from dozens of top Alzheimer’s experts got me through regular scenes with…

My mother-in-law, who needed a walker spent hours bringing all his clothes and toiletries from his room to our driveway, insisting that his (imaginary) new husband was about to pick her up

Mom was a sharp dresser. Now she wears the same blouse and skirt every day no matter how dirty they are

My grandpa, who keeps asking to go “home,” when he was home

And other relatives, in dozens of similar scenes.

Med-Q Medication Managment System

To sum up, Repetitive behavior in Alzheimer is hard to deal with. . People with Alzheimer will say or ask things over and over and over. repeatedly. They may also become very clinging and shadow the person caring for them, even following them to the toilet. These behaviors can be very upsetting and irritating for families and caregivers. Many will make the choice to fill a smart pill box with lots of drugs. To sum up, these medications should be a last resort, not a first.

smart pill box
Med-Q smart pill box

If you can’t remember whether you took your medication, what do you do?

What happens if you don’t remember if you took your medications?  When one is not sure if you took a pill, never, ever just take another dose yet. What could happen if you double dose?  If someone ingests an additional dose, the consequences can be deadly. In fact, an extra dose can raise the risk of harmful effects. Check your pill organizer, count the remaining pills in the bottle, or review the instructions that came with your prescription to find specific guidance. 

doctorHealth care profsionals are in agreement, “For most medications, it is safer to accidentally miss a single dose than to double dose” . Keep in mind that the pill/dosing guidelines vary drastically depending on the medication.  For example, it is different for  blood thinners or something like birth control.), it is always best to double-check with a professional.  If in doubt, call the local pharmacy you got the prescription filled.  Also, call e the America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 .  This can help if you are concerned about over dosing. 

For further guidance, consult I can’t remember whether I took my medication, what do I do? on Medical News Today. To help prevent confusion in the future, you can implement some 9 Simple Strategies for Remembering To Take Your Medication or read the Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Medication guide on WebMD.
 
If you are missing doses consistently, a few strategies can help get your routine back on track:
  • Use a weekly pillbox: These old fashion pill holders can be useful.   They show a quick visual cue to show which days  doses have been taken.
  • Use a Digital Pill Reminder: Medication reminders, like the Med-Q pill Box. have flashing guides.  These alarmed reminders help preventing over dosing. 
  • Try to do Habit stacking: Match up your daily pill-taking with a non-negotiable daily habit.  For example, your first cup of coffee or brushing yourhair.
  • Set electronic reminders: Use persistent reminder apps, alarm clocks, or simple smart phone alarm reminders.

What to do if Unsure?

The worry about over doing is real.  When unsure whether the dose has been taken, the best thing to do is speak with your health care provider or even your pharmacist. They will  advise you on the best course of action based on ythe specific medication. that is over dosed.

pill box for seniors

If you take oral tablets or capsules, you can count how many pills you have left. If you know when you started taking the pills out of that prescription bottle, this could help you determine whether you’ve taken your dose for that day.

Sometimes, when you haven’t taken your medication, there may still be time to take that dose. However, this could depend on the drug and dosing schedule.

Although in some cases, if it’s almost time to take your next dose, your doctor may recommend skipping the missed dose and taking your next dose at its regular time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose as doing so could raise your risk of side effects.

What happens if you accidentally take your medication twice?

Do not take more of a drug than your doctor prescribes. While serious side effects may be rare, for some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose. Some of the most dangerous medications to double-dose include:

  • heart maintenece medications
  • ADHD drugs, for example “Adderall”
  • medications for Type 1 Diabetes
  • prescription narcotic pain pills
  • psychiatric medications , for example “Wellbutrin.”

If you have any doubt, act quickly. 

Fist of all, contact your doctor right away.  Let them know you may have accidentally taken two doses or three doses of your daily medication. They will offer up advice.  The Healthcare profesional can often advise of what steps to take.  Also, they will let you know about symptoms to watch out for.

pill dispenser
America's #1 Pill Dispenser with Triple Alarms

Recent Tips

Scroll to Top