Understanding Aggression in Men with Alzheimer’s

Adults who work in assisted living communities have long suspected there were underlying reasons to explain some of the trends in memory care program admissions. Even though the number of women who live in senior living communities is significantly greater than the number of men, more men than women are being admitted to memory care programs across the country. In fact, men are moving in to dementia care communities at a rate that is 14% faster than women.

Researchers who dug in to this issue discovered a few very interesting differences between men and women who have Alzheimer’s disease.

When a family moves an elder male with Alzheimer’s to a memory care assisted living program, 8% of the time it is because family caregivers are unable to manage his wandering. Another 30% of the time the move is the result of him exhibiting aggressive behavior with family caregivers.

Wandering and aggression in men with Alzheimer’s are considered to be two of the most challenging behaviors to safely handle at home. Angry outbursts are especially difficult for a spouse who is smaller to manage.

Understanding Aggression in Adults with Alzheimer’s

Because there is so little solid evidence about what causes Alzheimer’s, no one can say with any degree of certainty what triggers anger and aggression in adults who live with the disease. Experts do, however, believe there are a few factors that are the likely culprits in both men and women.

They include:

• Physical pain that isn’t recognized and treated
• Overstimulation as the result of a noisy or hectic environment
• Fatigue caused by an inability to sleep
• Unmet physical needs (hunger, thirst, the need to use the bathroom)

Catastrophic Reactions Caused by Physical Damage to the Brain

Because of the physical damage Alzheimer’s causes on the brain, exaggerated behaviors are more common among adults who live with this progressive disease. As a result, what looks like an angry outburst caused by a serious problem might actually not be anything significant at all.

These types of behaviors are referred to as catastrophic reactions. A person living with Alzheimer’s is simply unable to gauge and control their response.

A few situations that often trigger aggression in north Texas seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease can include:

• Frustration: Alzheimer’s robs people of their ability to communicate. The frustration an adult with this disease feels at not being able to communicate with the world around them can cause anger and aggression.
• Too Much Stimulation: Because adults with Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty processing too much information at once, an environment that is too loud or overly chaotic can lead to an angry outburst.
• Fatigue: Chronic sleep deprivation is all too common for seniors who live with Alzheimer’s. Researchers believe the disease disrupts the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle making sleep difficult. If an adult with Alzheimer’s has a hectic day on top of a lack of sleep, their outburst might be triggered by exhaustion.
• Undiagnosed Pain: If a senior with Alzheimer’s is in pain and suffering but unable to convey that, it can cause them to act aggressively.
• Medication Side Effects: Because we process medication differently as we age, adverse reactions and medication side effects are more common among older adults. But a lack of verbal skills can make it difficult for a north Texas senior with Alzheimer’s to express what is wrong with family caregivers. The result can be an angry or aggressive outburst.

Searching for Memory Care in Dallas and Fort Worth

If you are just beginning to search for a memory care community in the Dallas – Fort Worth areas, let us help. We know the communities well and can help you find one that meets your senior loved one’s unique needs. Call us today at 214-929-5055 to get started.

Senior Living Specialists is a free service for seniors and their families. We are compensated by a referral fee when a senior moves into a community or care home. Please call us today at 214-929-5055 to learn more.