Dementia Behaviors

A dementia patient’s perspective on shadowing, repeating questions and dealing with other troubling behaviors associated with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Five dementia caregiving tips from Teepa Snow, acclaimed dementia care authority and occupational therapist known as “the horse whisperer of dementia.”

Seniors with dementia often live in an altered reality that can sometimes be upsetting. Validating their perceptions and feelings is the kindest, most respectful way to handle confusion, hallucinations and delusions.

When a parent with dementia begins acting childlike or deceitful, it is sometimes assumed they are being manipulative because their behavior is just so outrageous. The fact is that most seniors with dementia aren't capable of truly manipulative behavior.

Memory loss is a hallmark symptom of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, but neurological damage can also cause patients to make up hurtful stories and level false accusations toward their caregivers.

Watching an aging parent or spouse progress through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease can be a heartbreaking experience. The loss of cognitive abilities becomes especially painful when mom or dad no longer recognizes their own family.

Cognitive changes are a leading cause of dementia anger and aggression. Learn more about causes, coping strategies, and prevention here.

Sixty percent of people with dementia will wander. We’ve compiled experienced caregivers’ best tips for recognizing when outside help is needed to keep a wandering senior safe.

Memory problems and dementia-related behavior changes can get you into some sticky situations. As a caregiver, I’ve discovered a simple solution for making outings less stressful and more successful: “dementia companion cards.”

For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, the time change each fall may exacerbate symptoms of sundowning. Less daylight and modifications to one’s daily routine often bring added emotional, behavioral and cognitive difficulties.

It can be difficult to distinguish scientifically proven options from hyped up “remedies” and expensive “cures.” Know what to look for in an alternative treatment and how to decide if it's worth trying.

Sundowning can happen with dementia patients year-round, but during autumn and winter, the effects can be magnified due to shorter, darker days. Be aware of the causes of and treatments for this dementia-related behavior.

Sundowning, also known as late day confusion, causes an increase in challenging behaviors in the early evening hours. Read experienced dementia caregivers’ tips and advice for devising a routine that minimizes sundowning behaviors.

Capgras is a delusional misidentification syndrome that can complicate a dementia patient’s quality of life and their family members’ efforts to care for them. Learn the best ways to handle delusions and foster positive interactions with your loved one.

Knowing at what point dementia patients need 24-hour care is critical. Spot the signs it's time for memory care to improve a patient's quality of life.

Charlie just got a hearing aid, which he desperately needed, but I can't convince him to wear it.

When you think about the telltale signs of dementia, memory loss is often top of mind. But marked behavior change in a senior may be a dangerous sign of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) that has nothing to do with memory.

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a type of dementia that is often overshadowed by the most prevalent kind, Alzheimer's disease. To clear up the confusion, here are eight facts everyone should know about LBD.

The progression of her Alzheimer's disease over the last eight years had been pretty much textbook. Still, nothing could have prepared us for the process of putting mom in memory care.

Use this three-step approach to better understand why dementia patients wander and develop interventions for wandering that prioritize safety, independence and calmness.