Violent Alzheimer’s Patients

Approximately 5-10% of Alzheimer’s patients exhibit violent behavior.  The cause of these outbursts is unknown and caregivers are often overwhelmed and scared. This person looks and sounds like their beloved family member, but the person they once knew is no longer there. For emergency violent situations, Alzheimer’s experts say these tips can placate a patient:

1. Back down. If a patient gets angry because he doesn’t want to brush his teeth, drop it and try again later when his mood has improved.
2. Apologize, even if it’s not your fault. This strategy will buy you time and good will.
3. Change the topic. Stay calm and change the subject to something the patient usually enjoys.
4. Remember an Alzheimer’s patient’s world is distorted. Patients are sensitive to noise and become fatigued easily.
5. Call for help. For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24-hour hotline: 1-800-272-3900.

See Madison Park, When Alzheimer’s Turns Violent, CNN, Mar. 30, 2011.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (WealthCounsel) for bringing this to my attention.