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Categories :: Advice Articles |
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 Category :: Advice |
Author :: Steve Hill  |
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| Article Title :: Anger Management Therapy for Dementia Patients |
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Older people sometimes develop dementia, a somewhat common
condition that results in mental and emotional confusion. Some
of these people, often those who are institutionalized, display
anger outbursts due to relatively mild provocations, such as an
unwanted meal item. At other times the anger is warranted, as
when another resident initiates a conflict. For reasons like
these and others, anger management therapy for dementia patients
is becoming increasingly important.
Symptoms That May Warrant Anger Management Therapy
It may be difficult to determine at first who is eligible for
anger management therapy. Residents with dementia who live at
home or in nursing facilities often try to express themselves in
non-traditional ways. While someone who wants their breakfast
oatmeal served hotter can just say so, someone with dementia
might be able to just make anxious sounds, pace, or even throw
the oatmeal on the floor. If someone in your care exhibits
dissatisfaction with some aspect of daily care, try to figure
out what is bothering the person, and make any needed
adjustments that you can.
Dementia patients may raise their voice, swing their arms, push,
shove, or yank at things or people to convey their irritation.
Caregivers must learn to decipher true anger from confusion or
self-defense against other aggressive residents. Anger
management therapy should be considered for those who express
real anger inappropriately.
Some dementia residents may withdraw socially, stop talking to
others, or gesticulate excitedly when they are upset. Sometimes
these actions are in response to legitimate concerns, while at
other times they may reflect unsuitable anger that needs to be
redirected. If the person is able to understand and respond to
caregivers in appropriate ways, he or she may be eligible for
anger management therapy.
Anger Management Therapy for Dementia Patients
Any anger management therapy facilitator or coordinator who
works with dementia residents will need to understand the way
that those with dementia communicate, and the types of triggers
that can draw their anger. This may require some training in
long-term facility care, gerontology, and dementia behaviours.
The therapist may attempt group or individual therapy, depending
on the patient's needs and abilities.
In anger management therapy, the coordinator may try to make the
resident understand the consequences of anger outbursts, or
attempt to teach the resident how to redirect anger in
acceptable ways. At times, the therapist might want to work with
the resident's physician, social worker, and family to achieve
the best results. This type of effort could take a long time and
may be only partially successful yet, any progress is
undoubtedly helpful.
Family members and caregivers who want to know more can visit
websites like anger-management-information.com for more complete
information on how to address this key social and interpersonal
behavior. They also can get in touch with the doctor, nursing
staff, and social worker for help in assisting a dementia
patient through anger management therapy that may lead to
improved outcomes for the resident and those that provide his or
her care and support.
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