How Can the Caregiver Address Dementia-Related Behaviors

Do you worry your patients are not progressing because their negative behaviors interfere with treatment? Understanding how the caregiver can address dementia-related behaviors is crucial for tailoring interventions that lead to positive outcomes. Symptoms such as depression, anxiety, lack of motivation, or disengagement often arise in therapy, but the approach outlined below can help caregivers and clinicians create effective solutions.

1. Adapt to their sensory processing

Identifying sensory preferences is a foundational way to understand how the caregiver can address dementia-related behaviors. Have you noticed that different people respond to crowds, noise, texture, or foods differently? Through important neuroscience advances, we now understand that the differences in how people process sensory information are not “bad” or meant to be fixed. Instead, these differences are meant to be acknowledged and supported.

When people can identify their own sensory processing style, they can choose activities or make the environmental changes that make them most comfortable. People with dementia may be unable to articulate their preferred sensory stimulation, which can lead to behavioral disruptions.

For example, someone with dementia might become agitated by harsh fluorescent lighting or loud, sudden noises. Switching to soft lighting or quieter settings can significantly reduce distress. By learning to identify your patient’s sensory processing style and appropriate therapeutic strategies, you will be able to support their sensory preferences and maximize their engagement in your therapy. You may also need to be mindful of sensory limitations occurring as dementia progresses.

2. Make their daily activities meaningful

Designing daily activities that align with personal preferences demonstrates how the caregiver can address dementia-related behaviors effectively. Imagine living in an environment (home or facility) where you don’t have meaningful structure to your day or the structure provided doesn’t align with your activity preferences. For example, you can’t stand playing BINGO or singing songs, but that is a large portion of what is offered in your long-term care facility. If you can truly imagine this scenario, you might say, “I’d go crazy!” or “I would be depressed.”

Rigorous studies have shown that tailoring the schedule to include meaningful activity, at the level of challenge that is achievable for the person, reduces negative behavior and increases satisfaction and mood. For example, someone who enjoyed gardening in the past might respond well to simple tasks like potting plants or watering flowers. Similarly, engaging in activities like sorting photographs or organizing books can evoke a sense of purpose.

3. Consider alternative therapies

Incorporating alternative therapies can highlight creative ways on how the caregiver can address dementia-related behaviors through nontraditional approaches. Alternative therapies lie outside of conventional medicine, yet they are used to prevent illness and promote health and well-being. We view them as potentially adjunctive to the typical therapies as a way to decrease negative behavior and provoke calmness and task attention.

Evidence supports:

• Snoezelen environments: Snoezelen rooms, or controlled multisensory environments, provide sensory stimulation through lighting, sounds, and textures, reducing agitation and promoting relaxation in individuals with dementia. Research on their use in dementia care suggests that these interventions can reduce behavioral disturbances, improve mood, and enhance the quality of life for older adults with dementia.¹ For caregivers working at home, creating a Snoezelen-like environment doesn’t have to be expensive. Use dimmable lamps, calming music, and objects with soft textures to make a soothing space.
• Music therapy: A review on the effects of music therapy on patients with dementia indicates that it can improve verbal fluency, reduce anxiety, depression, and apathy, and enhance overall quality of life.² By stimulating memory and emotional connections, it offers both therapeutic and comforting effects.
• Aromatherapy: The use of plant-based fragrant oils, such as lavender, is a common approach to encourage relaxation. It has been applied to reduce behavioral symptoms, promote better sleep, and stimulate motivational behaviors in individuals with dementia.³
• Massage therapy: Massage and therapeutic touch are commonly used in dementia care to help alleviate depression, anxiety, aggression, and other psychological or behavioral symptoms. Expressive touch, such as holding a patient’s hand or gentle patting, is used with emotional intent to provide comfort, convey empathy, or calm the individual, distinguishing it from task-oriented touch typically involved in routine nursing care.³

4. Communicating with empathy

Effective communication is another way the caregiver can address dementia-related behaviors. Many challenging behaviors arise because the individual with dementia cannot effectively communicate their needs or emotions. To reduce frustration:

• Use clear, simple language and short sentences.
• Maintain eye contact and use a calm tone of voice.
• Validate their feelings rather than dismissing them. For example, saying, “I understand you’re upset. Let’s figure out what we can do together,” can diffuse agitation.

By focusing on empathetic communication, caregivers can foster a stronger sense of connection and understanding.

A holistic approach to caregiver strategies

Understanding how the caregiver can address dementia-related behaviors means looking beyond symptoms to discover tailored solutions. Start by understanding the patient’s sensory preferences, scheduling meaningful activities during their day, and exploring some alternative therapies to promote their well-being. Although it’s not an easy task, any caregiver can bring out the “happier” side of individuals in their care through these strategies. By incorporating empathetic communication and thoughtful solutions, caregivers can create a peaceful and supportive environment that benefits both the individual and those providing care.

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