Supporting Behavioral Changes in People with Dementia

Dementia affects people in different ways and it is common for people living with dementia to experience changes in their behaviour or emotional state.

Changes can be triggered by fear, confusion or pain, and include anxiety, agitation, aggression, hallucinations, loss of inhibition and depression.

Every person will react differently and the reasons for changed behaviour are varied. We all have emotional responses to what is happening in our environment, to those we are engaging with or to the circumstances in which we find ourselves. But dementia sometimes makes it hard for a person to say what they need or to understand what people are asking of them. Understanding the causes of behaviour can help to find ways to respond if this occurs.

Understanding an individual’s experience and how it might trigger changes in behaviour

When someone living with dementia responds in a way that is different from their usual behaviour or patterns, try to understand what might be triggering this change, or think about what a change in behaviour or response might be communicating. You can then find ways to minimise the risk of, or respond to, the person to better support them.

There are five main categories that can trigger a change in behaviour in people living with dementia:

Health: this can include physical, emotional or psychological health. Changes may be impacted by certain drugs causing confusion, impaired vision and hearing, acute illness, delirium, chronic illness, pain, depression, fatigue and unmet emotional and physical needs.

Communication: changes in communication styles are common. The person may find it hard to express themselves clearly or to understand what others say. As dementia progresses, communication can become more difficult. An individual may feel frustrated if they cannot make themselves understood and feel upset, withdrawn or angry as a result.

Personal history: changes in mood, behaviour or action can sometimes be grounded in a past experience. For example, a person with dementia may interpret their need to go to the toilet as requiring them to go outside, if they used an outdoor toilet as a child.

Environments: a response to the physical environment can be heightened when that space is unfamiliar, overly stimulating or confusing.

Performing tasks: complicated or unfamiliar tasks, or changes in routine can cause stress, uncertainty or even fear for someone with dementia.

Where to get help

If a person with dementia is displaying distress, fear, anger or apathy, or the way they are behaving is having a detrimental impact on you:

Discuss with the person’s doctor your concerns about changes in mood, personality or behaviour, and their impact on you and the person you are caring for.

Call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 to learn about support services and education programs, including carer support groups, counselling and services and programs to assist you to understand and respond to changes and maintain your health and wellbeing.

Call the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service on 1800 699 799. They provide support for people experiencing dementia- related behaviour changes and their carers.