A person with dementia who has anxiety may also have changes in their behaviour, such as being agitated or hoarding. They may constantly ask for reassurance and not want to be left alone. Or they may closely follow a carer or family member around.
This typically happens when dementia causes changes in the brain that make it harder to recognize their caregivers or family, process what is happening around them, feel unsafe in their own home, and not being able to remember what they may have just done.
A new publication released by the Alzheimer's Society today reports that 38% of people with dementia say that they are lonely, with a further 12% reporting they do not know if they are lonely. More than two-thirds (70%) of people with dementia have stopped doing things that they used to do after diagnosis.
In general, once a patient enters the moderate phase of dementia (the phase in which they require some help with their basic activities of daily living like dressing, bathing and grooming), it is unsafe to leave them alone for even short periods of time.
Repetitive behaviour in dementia
People with dementia may say or ask things repeatedly. They may also become very clinging and shadow the person caring for them, even following them to the toilet. These behaviours can be very upsetting and irritating for families and carers.
Try to keep in mind that repetition in dementia, while perhaps related to some obsessions or compulsions, is often triggered simply by poor short-term memory or general anxiety in dementia. Maintaining routines can be reassuring to people who are feeling disoriented or uncertain.
For example, a sudden deterioration or change may be a sign that an infection has led to delirium. Or it may suggest that someone has had a stroke. A stroke is particularly common in some kinds of vascular dementia and may cause the condition to get worse in a series of 'steps'.
A person with dementia is much more likely to become withdrawn because they feel isolated or bored. Many people with dementia spend much of their time alone or, even if they are with others, there may not be much conversation between them.
People with dementia should not be living alone without care if they are suffering any cognitive impairment that could lead to them coming to any harm at home. Some common signs that a person with dementia can no longer live independently include: They are struggling with personal hygiene.
Alzheimer's disease – around eight to 10 years. Life expectancy is less if the person is diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. A few people with Alzheimer's live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years. Vascular dementia – around five years.
However, a person in the advanced stages of dementia can still experience emotions such as loneliness, boredom or frustration. A person might no longer be able to move independently or hold a conversation.
Receiving a life-changing dementia diagnosis doesn't strip a person of their humanity or personhood. People with dementia think about the same things that any human thinks about — emotions, relationships, daily life, tasks to accomplish, and more.
People with dementia can still have nice feelings too. They can feel happy, safe and calm. Some people with dementia may seem like their usual self a lot of the time and you may only notice small changes every now and then. Some people with dementia may not have as many good days.
The study also found that loneliness was associated with poorer executive function—such as a group of cognitive processes including decision-making, planning, cognitive flexibility, and control of attention—and changes in the brain that indicate vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
A person with dementia may want to 'go home' because of feelings of anxiety, insecurity, depression or fear.
Don't Ignore Them
If you're not sure how to interact with someone with obvious signs of dementia, it's OK to feel awkward. What doesn't help is shutting down and not making an effort to interact. The same applies if you suddenly start cutting back on visits because you're feeling uncomfortable.
Most dementia patients prefer to stay in their own home as long as possible. This is usually feasible in the early stages of the disease when the individual only requires basic care, such as food preparation, assistance with personal care and cleaning, and other household tasks.
With dementia, understanding can become muddled. It's normal for anxiety feelings to increase as dementia progresses. It can be overwhelming and disturbing for a person with Alzheimer's. Touch can help communication through caregiving without depending on words.
In the earlier stages, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of — and frustrated by — the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others.
Individuals with dementia may experience memory difficulties, issues with their ability to think, and trouble completing daily tasks. They may be aware of their symptoms in the early stages of dementia. However, a person may lose this awareness by the late stages of dementia.
If a person with dementia is in unfamiliar surroundings, they might walk about because they feel lost. For example, when they move house, attend a new day centre or move into a care home. If the person's living environment has changed, try showing them familiar items such as photographs or furniture.
Administration: The examiner reads a list of 5 words at a rate of one per second, giving the following instructions: “This is a memory test. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Listen carefully. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease causes a type of dementia that gets worse unusually fast. More common causes of dementia, such as Alzheimer's, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia, typically progress more slowly.
I'm going to discuss five of the most basic ones here: 1) Don't tell them they are wrong about something, 2) Don't argue with them, 3) Don't ask if they remember something, 4) Don't remind them that their spouse, parent or other loved one is dead, and 5) Don't bring up topics that may upset them.