Uncontrollable screaming and/or crying is possibly the most upsetting of the many painful emotions and behaviors that someone with dementia may experience. It can be difficult and exhausting to see a senior you care about in a negative state of mind and not know how to help or what’s causing the reaction. If you’re wondering how you can help, we suggest reading on. Here are some suggestions for what to do to help your loved one with dementia and crying.
Stay Calm Amidst the Crying Fit
It’s important to remain as calm as you can in a situation where your loved ones with dementia start crying. If you show that you’re visibly upset by it, your loved ones may become even more agitated by proxy. To help both your loved one and yourself stay calm, try practicing slow and controlled breathing, putting on relaxing music, and keeping your voices steady and even.
Identify the Cause or Trigger of the Crying
Pain, fear, boredom, or frustration could send your loved one into a crying fit. Take a minute to reflect on what occurred immediately before the crying began and write down your observations. These common outbursts may appear random at first but noting down and writing a journal for their dementia can provide you with the information you need to discover trends and triggers.
Listen and Observe for Clues
Pay attention to anything they say to see if you can figure out why the person with dementia is upset. In some cases, your loved ones may say things like “I’m trapped” or “No, no, no!”. This could indicate that they wish to go outside or require a change of environment. Alternatively, it could be something that makes them feel terrified or uneasy.
They may grab onto their clothes or a specific portion of their body to indicate that they are chilly or hot, in discomfort, or have a physical need, such as the desire to use the restroom. They may continue to push at anything that bothers them, such as a mirror or an object that is noisy or distracting.
Take Care of Physical Needs
Sometimes the only way your loved ones with dementia know how to ask for help is to shout or cry. If there appears to be a physical reason for their discomfort, address it as soon as possible. Offering them a pain reliever (that the doctor has allowed), bringing them to the bathroom, or getting them food or a drink of water are all examples of what you can do.
Use Calming Techniques When a Loved One With Dementia is Crying
Reducing your older adult’s agitation allows you to either solve the problem or divert them to a more enjoyable activity. If you’ve identified a clue as to what is creating the difficulty, utilize that information to de-escalate the situation — take care of any discomfort or bodily needs, get some fresh air, find a fun hobby, and so on.
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At Discovery Village At Deerwood, we offer a specialized senior living option, SHINE Memory Care, that is specially designed to improve the quality of life and provide exceptional care for our residents with dementia or other memory-related conditions. We also have a wide range of quality amenities and exclusive senior living programs just for you. To find out more, do contact us today!
