Research published in the autumn of 2014 may be of interest to you if you are an adult kid taking care of a parent who has Alzheimer's disease or the spouse of an older man who has the condition. Researchers examined admission patterns for senior citizens moving into residences offering assisted living and memory care. In conventional senior living homes, women outweigh men by a wide margin, but more men are being accepted into memory care programs. Men are relocating to dementia care homes 14% more quickly than women are.

Trends in memory care admissions

Researchers looked at the history of the incidents that resulted in each transfer to a memory care facility and discovered some intriguing information. Eight percent of the time when males moved into a memory care assisted living program, it was because their caregiver was unable to control their roaming at home. In 30% of cases, this was due to the family's and caregivers' worries about their combative behavior.

What carers need to know about aggression in Alzheimer's-affected men

It might be difficult to identify the root of aggressive behavior in those with Alzheimer's. There are a few potential offenders, according to dementia experts:

• Untreated or undiagnosed pain
• Excessive stimulation or a busy, boisterous setting
• Fatigue or sleep deprivation
• Unfulfilled demands like thirst, hunger, or the urge to use the loo

People with Alzheimer's frequently exhibit exaggerated behavior, so even a seemingly small issue might result in a furious outburst. Researchers refer to these actions as catastrophic reactions.

Recognizing potential aggression triggers

An Indiana elder with Alzheimer's disease may become aggressive in several typical settings, including:

Uncontrolled pain:

A senior with Alzheimer's may be unable to communicate with caregivers that they are in pain or suffering. Thus, they could behave erratically.

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Fatigue:

According to researchers, Alzheimer's disease interferes with the body's normal circadian cycle. Chronic sleep deprivation is the result. Many specialists think that anger may frequently result from physical fatigue.

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Overstimulation:

People with Alzheimer's have trouble digesting information due to the disease's effects on the brain. They are quickly upset and violent when they are in a frantic and noisy setting, such as a rowdy party or a crowded mall.

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Verbal abilities:

Difficulty Verbal abilities are often lost in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Aggression and rage can result from a person's dissatisfaction at being unable to communicate with others around them.

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Medicine side effects:

Aggressive behavior in Alzheimer's patients may also result from an unfavorable response to a medicine or from a medication combination. Older people are more likely to have side effects because the body reacts to medication differently as we age.

A Heritage Care Home Senior Living facility can be the answer if you're having trouble keeping an assisted senior with Alzheimer's disease safe at home. To find out more about how we can assist, we welcome you to get in touch with the community closest to you.