alzheimer’s awareness

Individuals who are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease may experience aggression related to their condition. This aggression generally surfaces in the later stages of Alzheimer’s and, while the exact reason for it is unclear, researchers believe it may be symptomatic or due to the frustration and confusion Alzheimer’s patients feel. If a loved one has Alzheimer’s and is beginning to develop aggressive tendencies, it may be difficult to figure out how to handle the outbursts and agitation.

 

Here is a list of tips to help handle aggressive behaviors in an Alzheimer’s patient:

Remember that what is happening is not their fault and avoid becoming angry

An Alzheimer’s patient may not be able to control their aggression, so do your best not to get angry if they lash out at you. This will only make the situation worse and will likely increase their agitation. Try to remember that what they are experiencing is not in their control and that what they may say or do when angry has no relation to who they truly are.

 

Learn which situations bring about anger or aggression. 

If you are able to recognize which types of situations make your loved one angry or upset, it is easier to avoid them and to decrease these incidences of anger and aggression. If you are having trouble identifying which situations trigger their anger, keep a journal chronicling times that they become notably agitated or frustrated and look for patterns.

 

Help your loved one participate in a relaxing activity or a hobby they enjoy. 

By participating in a relaxing activity with your loved one or a familiar hobby that they enjoy, it will calm both of you down and help to reduce your loved one’s confusion. Additionally, it will increase the amount of time that you spend bonding with your loved one and create memories that you will be able to treasure for years to come.

 

Limit the amount of loud noises and distractions.

Alzheimer’s patients tend to become frustrated by loud noise as well as the occurrence of too many activities going on around them at once. By limiting loud noises and distractions, you can reduce their confusion and agitation while increasing their feelings of peacefulness and control.

 

Don’t challenge your loved one.

People who suffer from Alzheimer’s tend to become confused and forget or mix up certain information. If your loved one makes a statement that you believe to be incorrect, don’t feel the need to always challenge them on it. This will likely not accomplish much and may only upset them further. If you feel that they are getting information mixed up that isn’t of much importance, it’s not usually necessary to correct them. If the information they are confusing is important, try to notify them of this in a gentle and non-threatening manner.

Alzheimer’s is a devastating terminal illness that occurs due to generalized degeneration of the brain and that has the ability to severely impair an individual’s mental as well as physical faculties. A cure for Alzheimer’s has not yet been discovered, but many health professionals have turned their focus towards lifestyle changes that may prevent Alzheimer’s from ever afflicting individuals’ in the first place. On that note, here are several tips regarding changes that you or a loved one can make that may prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

 

1. Participate In Physical Activities.

Exercising regularly can be a beneficial strategy if you want to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Exercise has the potential to positively affect brain cells by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Additionally, exercise has cardiovascular benefits and, as several conditions known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, having a healthier heart may also lead to avoidance of Alzheimer’s.

 

2. Consume Healthy Foods

Studies have demonstrated that heart-healthy eating can help protect the brain and reduce the risk of one getting Alzheimer’s disease. Following a dietary regimen that includes limiting intake of saturated fats and sugars while also eating larger amounts of fruits, vegetables and whole grains is a good way to stay healthy.

 

3. Maintain Strong Social Connections

Whether it’s choosing to spend more time with children and grandchildren or going out weekly with close friends, studies have shown that maintaining social connections and being mentally active can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Social and mental stimulation fortify the connections between nerve cells in the brain, which may be the reason that a healthy amount of social interactions can prevent the development of Alzheimer’s.

 

4. Get Lots of Sleep

New studies have emphasized that long-term sleep issues or disrupted sleep may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Numerous studies have linked poor sleep to higher levels of beta-amyloid, a brain clogging protein that interferes with the deep sleep necessary for memory formation. Studies have also demonstrated that uninterrupted sleep is important because it allows for the flushing out of brain toxins.

 

5. Keep Stress Levels Low

Chronic, persistent stress can have a strong, negative impact on the brain and can even lead to shrinkage in an area of the brain that is key when it comes to memory. This alone increases the risk for Alzheimer’s, but stress can also be detrimental to nerve cell growth, which only furthers the likelihood that an individual will develop this. If you find yourself stressed-out often, try to participate in activities that relax you and will alleviate some of your stress. Examples of relaxing activities to participate in are: meditation, reading a favorite book, going for a walk, taking a hot bath, getting a massage, writing down daily thoughts in a journal, listening to soothing music and taking a nap.

 

6. Prevent Head Trauma

Researchers and medical professionals have suggested that there is a strong positive correlation between risk of Alzheimer’s and serious head trauma. Although you may not think you will ever be exposed to head trauma, it can be caused by fairly normal occurrences such as falls or car accidents. You can reduce your risk of head trauma by “fall-proofing” your home, being aware of your surroundings, wearing your seatbelt anytime you get in a car and using a helmet if you plan on participating in sports or any physical activity that may require head protection.