What Might Lead to Changes in Seniors’ Behavior?

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What Can Cause Behavioral Changes in the Elderly in Lincoln, CA

Many seniors experience behavioral changes at some point, which can make caregiving more challenging for you and your siblings if you’re caring for an aging parent. As a caregiver, you need to evaluate the situation to determine the cause and find an adequate solution. Below are some reasons for behavioral changes in seniors and what caregivers can do to address each issue.

Poor Care

The type of care your senior loved one receives impacts more than just his or her physical health. It could also harm his or her mental and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, your family should speak with your loved one’s primary care physician to determine the best care plan, including changes to the home and regular activities. When you’re implementing changes to your parent’s care plan, the process should be gradual. Acting too quickly could increase the risk of combativeness and make your loved one less receptive to assistance from you and others.

Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Lincoln Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.

Pain

Some seniors lash out at their caregivers because it’s the only way to get attention. For example, if your loved one is recovering from a stroke and cannot speak clearly, it may be difficult for him or her to communicate feelings, including pain. To get your attention, your loved one may act out negatively by throwing objects or slamming doors. You can prevent this by offering manageable communication tools, such as emotion cards and whiteboards. You should also check your loved one’s comfort levels frequently to ensure he or she isn’t experiencing any pain.

Uncertainty

Watching his or her health deteriorate over time can lower your loved one’s confidence levels and lead to constant worry and panic. There are steps you can take to help your loved one boost his or her cognitive health. If your parent is living with a condition such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, you could develop a plan to slow the progression of the disease. Provide emotional support to your loved one to ease feelings of fear and uncertainty and ultimately stave off behavioral challenges.

Homecare agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.

Substance or Alcohol Abuse

Seniors who take on hobbies and complete meaningful tasks can lower their stress levels and boost their self-esteem. However, seniors who fail to maintain good habits might turn to alcohol and various substances. The chemicals in some drinks and drugs could prevent your parent’s brain from functioning normally and cause him or her to lash out verbally and physically. When alcohol and drugs are abused, seniors are also at higher risk for depression and life-threatening illnesses.

Isolation

Older adults who confine themselves to their homes can experience psychological effects, such as paranoia and panic attacks, that impact their moods. By staying socially active in the senior years, your parent can boost his or her mood and reduce the odds of behavioral changes. Your loved one can avoid isolation by attending family gatherings, staying connected to close friends, volunteering, and participating in community events.

The regular companionship of home caregivers can also help aging adults alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Lincoln, CA, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn more about our customized care plans.

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