Violence & Dementia

Marked by impaired memory and other weakened thought processes, dementia can be devastating to both patients and caregivers. A trait of some with dementia is violent behavior. Confusion, frustration or unfamiliarity often triggers violence associated with dementia.

Significance

• Dementia is a symptom of many illnesses. Brain tumors, Alzheimer's disease and even some nutritional deficiencies can prompt dementia. Violence in conjunction with dementia is common. Researchers in Montreal, Canada found in a study, published in The Gerontologist journal in 1990, that of 213 patients suffering dementia, more than 57 percent demonstrated aggression.

Identification

• Violence associated with dementia may take the form of verbal hostility, such as profanity, false accusations or arguing. Dementia-related violence can become physical. Individuals may throw items, threaten harm or strike others.

Features

• Because dementia includes impaired memory, recognizable surroundings or known caregivers can seem suddenly unfamiliar. The patient may become overwhelmed, even in normal settings and lash out.

Prevention/Solution

• Although dementia can be a lifelong and worsening condition, violent outbreaks may be minimized by diffusing escalating situations through compassion, avoiding triggers such as changes in routine and crowds, being patient, repeating information and speaking clearly.

Treatment

• Prescription drugs, such as memantine HCl and donepezil in combination, show promise for minimizing dementia's severity.

Warning

• Seek immediate medical attention if the patient is a danger to herself or others.