How to Manage Behaviors in Dementia

Dementia is the term to describe certain symptoms that indicate deterioration of mental function. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form. It affects both social and intellectual functioning. Dementia can cause confusion, memory loss and changes in personality and behavior. You can do several things to improve behavioral issues associated with dementia. The Mayo Clinic and the University of Maryland Medical Center offer several suggestions.

Instructions

• 1

  Take all medications as directed. Medications for dementia aim to address imbalances of certain brain chemicals and can help reduce the severity of symptoms, including behavioral changes. Be open and honest about your experience with the medications. This can help the doctor determine the most appropriate treatments for you.

• 2

  Promote calmness and stability in your home environment to reduce behavioral issues. Minimize noise, rushing around, yelling and having large groups of people in the house.

• 3

  Follow a nighttime ritual. The stress of the day can worsen anxiety and promote behavior problems in the evening. Having a set routine for winding down and getting to sleep can ease stress and encourage better behavior

• 4

  Minimize nighttime restlessness by reducing caffeine intake, exercising as appropriate and refraining from daytime sleep.

• 5

  Listen to calming music to ease restlessness, increase the production of beneficial brain chemicals and improve behavior.

• 6

  Experiment with massage and acupuncture. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies have shown these treatments improve behavior in people with dementia.