Difficult behaviours in dementia

In the later stages of dementia, some people with dementia will develop what's known as behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

The symptoms of BPSD can include:

• increased agitation
• aggression (shouting or screaming, verbal abuse, and sometimes physical abuse)
• delusions (unusual beliefs not based on reality)
• hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that do not exist)

These types of behaviours are very distressing for the care giver and for the person with dementia.

It's very important the doctor is consulted to rule out or treat any underlying causes, such as:

• uncontrolled pain
• untreated depression
• infections such as UTI's
• side effects of medicines

If the person bring caring for behaves in an aggressive way, try to stay calm and avoid confrontation. You may have to leave the room for a while.

If none of the coping strategies works sometimes medications can be prescribed as a short-term treatment. Usually prescribed by a consultant psychiatrist.