How to Respond to the Crying Behavior Common with Dementia

Of the many varied difficult emotions and behaviors someone with dementia may experience, perhaps the most heartbreaking is uncontrollable crying or screaming. Seeing a senior, you love in an inconsolable state of mind and not knowing how to help or what is causing the emotion is both painful and frustrating. You want to help restore calm, but how?

Offering help begins by understanding that crying and yelling in dementia can stem from:

• Pain

• Boredom

• Fear

• Sadness

• Frustration

• Agitation

• Delusions, delirium, or hallucinations

• Sundowning

• Disruptive environment

• Other factors

In the short-term, try these tactics to help:

• Remain calm, and speak in a soft, soothing tone of voice.

• Determine what is causing the outburst. Keeping a journal is a great way to track triggers.

• Pay attention to verbal and nonverbal clues. Is the senior grabbing at a specific body part that might be in pain or indicate the need to use the toilet? Are they pointing to something in the room?

• Address the perceived need, and then implement a calming technique, such as one of the following:

  • Turn on your favorite music and sing along.

  • Move to a different area of the home for a change of scenery, or go outside to enjoy nature's sights, sounds, and smells if possible.

  • Offer comfort through touch – holding the person's hand or rubbing their back or shoulder.

  • Provide a favorite doll or stuffed animal.

  • Bring out a snack and drink.

  • Request the senior's help with a simple, repetitive task, such as folding towels or sorting nuts/bolts or coins.

For a longer-term, preventative solution, talk with the individual's doctor for advice. This should include a review of all medications for potential side effects and an evaluation for depression and pain management if appropriate. It is also helpful to review the notes you have taken in your journal; consider modifying the home environment or daily routine accordingly.

Explore options for dementia and Alzheimer's care in the Philadelphia area by speaking with Modern Health Home Care professionals. We are fully trained and experienced in creative, effective dementia care methods. Our care team is available for as much or as little assistance as needed, with specialized expertise in soothing and effectively managing challenging behaviors and emotions. Contact Modern Health Home Care online or at 215.995.2012 to learn more about our home health care in Philadelphia and the surrounding communities.