Senior man who has a chronic illness/Alzheimer's disease sitting in a living room at his home in the North East of England. He is holding his forehead with a negative expression, experiencing anxiety/pain. His wife is out of focus behind him, looking at him in worry.

Dementia Behaviors: What Caregivers Need to Know

Understanding Common Dementia Behaviors

If you’re a caregiver helping someone with dementia, you may notice they’re experiencing behavior changes. The Alzheimer’s Society explains that this is due to a combination of factors: a dementia symptom like cognitive decline, memory loss, a change in personality or loss of inhibitions, as well as factors like their physical surroundings, their routine, or a lost sense of control due to developing dementia.

Some common dementia behaviors include:

A behavioral change is difficult not only for the person with dementia but also for their caregivers. This is especially true when behaviors affect willingness to receive care or lead to unsafe actions. Tracking a recurring challenging behavior can help you investigate root causes so you can help prevent or manage it in the future.

Want more information about dementia care? Check if you have free access to Trualta’s resources and caregiving community.  

Did You Know? Sudden behavior changes might be an emergency. If your care recipient is suddenly significantly agitated, confused, or distressed, they may be experiencing a urinary tract infection or another medical problem. In these cases, it’s important to have them seen by a medical professional so they can be assessed and treated right away.

An older man and woman with dementia sit close together indoors, facing each other and making eye contact.

4 Strategies For Managing Challenging Behaviors

As a dementia caregiver for an older adult, you can try several strategies to manage challenging or distressing behaviors when they arise.

1. Communication 

Effective verbal and non-verbal communication is key when managing behaviors like agitation, aggression, or resistance to care. 

Here are some communication strategies to keep in mind:

  • Use short, simple sentences. Many words, multiple instructions, or questions at once can feel overwhelming and lead to further frustration. 
  • Validate their concerns. Acknowledging their feelings and concerns can help them feel understood. 
  • Use a gentle, friendly tone. Avoid yelling, shouting, or trying to be louder than your care recipient when they’re in distress. Keeping a calm tone can help reduce possible defensiveness and encourage the same tone back.
  • Pay attention to your body language. Provide your care recipient with some physical space. Match your body’s level to theirs. If they’re seated, have a seat rather than standing over them. Relax your shoulders, uncross your arms, and refrain from sudden movements like fast, big hand gestures. 

2. Redirection

Redirecting your care recipient to a different topic or activity helps reduce challenging behaviors as they shift their attention to something more calming or grounding. 

Caregiver tips for redirecting include:

  • Use a calm and curious tone to promote engagement and genuine interest. For example, “We should plant the flowers in the garden. I wonder what’s the best way to arrange them.”
  • Redirect to an activity of interest so they feel it’s worthwhile to shift their attention to it. 
  • Engage them in a sensory activity. Investigate sensations that feel soothing to them so you can be prepared. For example, play calming music in the background or offer them a soft blanket.
  • Engage them in a purposeful activity. Offering a simple task that gives them a sense of purpose can re-ground them in their physical space. For example, ask for their help folding a pile of towels. 
  • Avoid strong physical touch like forcibly turning their body or grabbing their hand to take them elsewhere. 

3. Modifying The Environment

Their environment may lead to agitation or confusion. Pay close attention to their physical environment to determine stressful triggers for common behavior.

Examples include:

  • Background noise
  • Crowded areas 
  • Someone standing too close
  • Bright lights
  • High or low temperature
  • Itchy clothing 
  • Someone speaking too quickly 

4. Routines

Establishing and following daily routines is crucial in preventing troubling behavior like resistance to care or distress about the unknown. 

When creating a routine, remember to:

  • Involve them in choosing which tasks happen when, whenever possible.
  • Incorporate activities they find enjoyable or that help promote calm.
  • Keep track of which activities may be suitable for specific times of the day, like when they’re least likely to feel tired.
  • Post a visual schedule of the routine so they can have regular reminders of what it is.
  • Modify the routine if something isn’t working. 

Take Care Of Yourself 

Navigating the complexities of dementia care can be challenging. This is especially true when faced with behaviors that challenge both you and your care recipient with dementia. Taking care of your physical and mental health ensures that you protect your well-being and can support your care recipient long-term. 

Remember to:

  • Prioritize breaks when needed, whether big or small. 
  • Stepping away and trying again later when you and your care recipient feel less frustrated.
  • Protect your safety, especially if your care recipient gets physical. You can do this by exiting the room immediately, calling for help, and only returning when it’s safe.
  • Ask for help from family, friends, healthcare providers, and caregiver peers.

Want to talk to other caregivers who are going through this? Check if you have free access to Trualta’s support groups, forums, resources, and more.

References

  1. Alzheimer’s Society. (2021). How does dementia change a person’s behaviour? 
  2. Alzheimer’s Society. (2025, May 29). Loss of inhibitions and dementia. 
  3. Alzheimer’s Society. (2021). Reducing and managing behaviour that challenges. 
  4. Alzheimer’s Society. (2021). Behaviour that challenges – looking after yourself. 
  5. NHS. (2024). Coping with dementia behaviour changes. 
  6. Alzheimer’s Society. (2021c). Preventing and managing aggressive behaviour in people with dementia.

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