32 Common Causes for Aggression in the Memory Impaired

Aggression is a very troublesome behavior that can occur for a variety of reasons. Aggression can be verbal or physical and is often devastating to the caregiver. The following is list of 32 common causes for aggression in the Memory Impaired. The ability to avoid, correct or understand these behaviors may make the task of caregiving a bit easier.

Physical Causes:

Medication Too much or too little

Physical Discomfort Arthritis pain, being wet or soiled, hungry...

Fear - Hurt Behaviors because of the fear of being physically

hurt or because they have hurt feelings

Biological Causes:

Sensory Loss Loss of vision / hearing / general losses

Sundown Syndrome This is related to the time of day and the amount

of light a person is seeing. Disease process is

the cause. Keeping lights on as the day progresses

is helpful / planning relaxing activities at the

end of the day...

Lifestyle May have always been a difficult person. Caregiver

patience is important. They cannot and will not

change.

Old Behavior This may be the way they dealt with stress in the

past.

Depression 75% of persons with a memory impairing illness have

severe depression. Feelings of sadness and being

blue that last for more than two weeks can indicate

a serious issue. Seek medical attention as soon

as possible.

Comprehension - Word Changes in their ability to relate the word to the

object unless they see it. They must see the

toilet in order to understand what is being asked

of them.

Comprehension-Sequence Caregivers must break things down into small simple

tasks.

Comprehension-Language A person who speaks 2 or more languages will often

lose one and may actually mix the others together.

They often use "word replacement" - example: They

are looking at the butter but say "Give me the

yellow for my bread".

Perform They have lost or are losing fine motor movement

but still understand how to complete the task.

This is extremely frustrating to the individual.

Disease Process This is a progressive disease with no known cure.

Fear - Unknown General anxiety. They know that something is

wrong.

Circumstantial Causes :

Bombarding Too much information or stimulation

Personality Conflict A difficult person with a family member who does

not show patience toward their behavior.

Pressure Asking too much of the person

Mimmicking Sees or hears others behaving badly and follows

example.

Privacy Caregiver does not close doors or fails to keep

family member covered during personal care.

Control Caregiver does not ask for the family members

permission - just takes over because it's easier.

Busy Family member is concentrating on something else

and the caregiver interrupts them

Bored-Energy Build up Persons who are not properly engaged throughout

the day will display behavior problems including

anxiey, depression, improper sleep habits, anger

or wandering.

Progressive Agitation Small aggravations all day long. Persons' cannot

"shake off" stress.

Confined Do they feel trapped or crowded in?

False Cueing Asking a person with a memory impairing illness

to void on a bedside commode may feel like we are

asking them to void on furniture.

Time They do not understand the concept of the passage

of time. Just because it is important to you that

they have breakfast at 8am - doesn't mean anything

to them.

Timing Asking them to visit with family right after taking

a shower is wrong. Too much stimulation - too

close together. Allow them time to "recover" from

tasks that are difficult for them before attempting

to involve them in the next.

Approach Are we rushing them? Are we smiling and presenting

a calm and friendly posture? Are distractions at

a minimum? All these things are very important.

Environment Is it too loud?...too cold?...too hot?... Look

around - remove them from the area that seems to

be upsetting them. Keep things calm and quiet.

Values A man may not want a woman caregiver and visa

versa, even if the caregiver is their spouse. They

may no longer recognize that relationship.

Values - Bias Previous biases may become more pronounced.

Past Experience Seeing someone with a beard may be related to a

person from their past who had a beard and hurt

them, for example.

(source: FCS International)

Caring for a person with a memory impairing illness can be a very difficult task. There are many resources in the community that have the

caregiver in mind. If you have questions, the WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association has a variety of resources available. Please feel free to contact them at (716) 626-0600.

If you are interested in information regarding ElderWood Senior Care's memory care programs and services, please call (716) 633-3900.