Alzheimer’s Care: Managing Personality and Behavioural Changes in Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behaviour which is serious enough to interfere with day-to-day activities. The risk factors for this disease are advanced age, family history and if the person is suffering from Diabetes (Type 1 or 2), cardiovascular disease and nutrition deficiencies.

Since it is a progressive neurological disease, it gradually worsens over a period and has no cure. Along with the medical therapy, Nutrition therapy is very crucial for prolonging the progression.
Today, there is a worldwide effort to find better ways to treat this disease, delay its symptoms and prevent it from developing.

India is known to have the lowest rate of Alzheimer’s disease in the world, about 4.4 times lesser than the other countries because of the extensive use of turmeric. Curcumin in turmeric prevents the breakdown of brain cells and prevents the formation of plaques in the brain.

While it is a struggle for an Alzheimer’s patient to deal with this disease, it is also a big challenge for the caregivers and family members. Witnessing their loved one losing the ability to carry on a conversation and responding to their environment, is very difficult and disturbing. Since the brain works less well over time, this disease changes how a person acts so along with Medical and Nutrition therapy, Psychotherapy is critical for both caregivers and the patients to deal with the disease better.

Common personality and behavioural changes you may see are:

• Getting upset, worried and angry more easily
• Acting depressed or not interested in things
• Hiding things or believing other people are hiding things
• Imagining things that are not there
• Wandering away from home and getting lost
• Showing unusual sexual behaviour
• Unstable, Uneven walking speed
• Not caring about their looks, or to dress up and wanting to wear the same clothes every day.

Caregivers cannot stop Alzheimer’s related changes in personality and behaviour, but they can learn to cope with them. Here are some ways to manage these changes:

• Keep things short and simple. Ask or say one thing at a time. Information overload should be absolutely avoided.
• Have a daily routine, so the person knows when certain things will happen.
• Reassure the person that he or she is safe, and you are there to help.
• Focus on his or her feelings rather than words.
• Don’t argue or try to reason with the person.
• Try not to show your frustration or anger. If you get upset, take deep breaths and count to 10. If it’s possible, leave the room for a few minutes.
• Use humour when you can.
• Provide them comfortable, sturdy shoes as they might pace a lot and to catch up on their uneven walking speed.
• Try using music, singing, or dancing to distract the person.
• Involve and engage them in house activities like setting up the table, folding the clothes, making the bed etc.

Footnote
Keeping an active social life, regular exercise, and continuing activities the person enjoys or finding new ones can help to reduce behaviours that are out of character. Making the patient feel that they are one of us, will also help to normalise the disease.