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Lesson 3. Aggression
Why does aggression happen
How to respond to aggressive behaviour
How to deal with ongoing aggression
Let’s review what you have learned
How to respond to aggressive behaviour
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Dealing With Behaviour Changes
Lesson 3. Aggression
How to respond to aggressive behaviour
How to respond to aggressive behaviour?
There are many ways to respond to aggressive behaviour. Some are good, others are not. In the exercise below you can learn more.
2. Check your understanding
Responding to aggressive behaviour.
How could Rashid react differently?
Please indicate what you think are good responses.
Rashid could:
Force his father to start bathing anyway.
This is not helpful,
because it does not change the situation and may only make it worse.
Maintain the dignity and privacy of his father. He could keep him in a robe or towel until he actually takes a bath.
Correct.
Maintaining dignity and privacy is always a good idea when caring for someone with dementia. By doing this Neil makes sure that the person living with dementia is comfortable.
Play soothing music that Mousa likes.
Yes.
Though it may take extra time to arrange this, this option may help sooth both Rashid and Mousa. This may create relaxation and less negative responses from both of them.
Put himself in Mousa’s shoes and try to understand why Mousa might not want to take a bath.
Walk away and come back later.
This is a good response.
It gives Neil time to calm down, take a deep breath and come up with a new strategy. It also gives Amit time to forget about the negative encounter and he may be in a better mood if approached differently later.
Explain logically why he should bathe.
This answer is not so good.
It does not take into account that Amit may not be able to understand because of his
Make sure that there is enough time so that it is not so stressful. Rather than trying to bathe Mousa right before the doctor’s appointment, when things are rushed, Rashid might try to assist with bathing the day before.
this option is good.
It may reduce tension for Rashid and Mousa.
Before the next bath time, identify the best time of day for Mousa to take a bath and find out whether he prefers a bath or a shower.
This answer is good.
Keeping people with dementia to their regular routines shows attention to their preferences.
When bathing Mousa, keep a towel over his shoulders to help him maintain dignity and to keep him warm.
This answer is good.
Mousa could be embarrassed to be naked in front of his son-in-law or the temperature of the water or the room could be too cold. It’s important to look for ways to make the situation more pleasant.
Ask for someone else to help with Mousa’s bath time.
This answer is good.
Sometimes the person living with dementia is more comfortable with one family member helping them bathe than another. Sometimes even a stranger might find it easier as the person living with dementia might be less embarrassed than with a family member.
Help Mousa with a bed bath by using warm, wet towels with soap without taking Mousa to the bath.
This answer is good.
If the person living with dementia is afraid of the bath, or running water, this option will help relieve their distress and can sometimes be used instead of baths. There are also products such as dry shampoo and cleaning products used for young children that might help.
Say in an irritated voice: “I have already answered that, please stop bothering me.” “You must take a bath!”
This is not helpful,
because it does not change the situation.
