Six tips on coping with inappropriate dementia behavior; saying “I’m sorry”

The Capital Gazette newspaper has a column written by Mary Chaput of the Department of Aging and Disabilities of Annapolis, MD.  A recent column had a question about frontotemporal dementia.  Ms. Chaput’s answer applies to dealing with someone with any type of dementia.

In terms of dealing with inappropriate behavior, she offers six tips:

* Don’t take the behavior or comments personally.
* Be empathetic.
* Don’t argue.
* Look for the situation(s) and environmental factors that trigger the behaviors.
* Talk with your family member’s physician about the behavior.
* Keep in mind that this, too, shall pass.

Another question was about saying “I’m sorry” to placate someone with dementia.

Here’s a link to the full column:

www.capitalgazette.com/lifestyle/ph-ac-cc-caregivers-0402-20170401-story.html

Caregivers Corner: Be patient and empathetic when dealing with frontotemporal dementia
by Mary Chaput, Correspondent
Capital Gazette
April 1, 2017

Robin