Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors - Presented by the Alzheimer's Association

People living with dementia often use behaviors as a way to communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. However, some behaviors can present real challenges for caregivers.
Learn to decode behavioral messages, identify common triggers, and develop strategies for navigating the complexities of Alzheimer’s disease.

Presented by Bob Bell, a Volunteer Community Educator with the Alzheimer's Association

• Bob Bell (gcrabuk@gmail.com)
• Karen Fagan (kafagan@alz.org)

Presented in partnership with Tall Oaks Assisted Living 

• Leslye Lawson (LLawson@talloaksal.com)

Materials

• alzheimers-dementia-247-helpline-ts.pdf
• trial-match-fact-sheet.pdf
• UARTDRB-Workbook.pdf
• Dementia Behaviors_Tall Oaks_10.27.22.pdf

Questions Asked:

• Bob -Is there a study to join for people who have parents with Dementia or prevention methods recommendation?
• My cousin, age 94, has moderate-stage dementia, who still lives in an independent living apartment, with home health aides .  She does not know/accept her diagnosis.  Besides memory issues, she also exhibits behavioral issues -- refusing to do things (like agree to move to residential memory care or assisted living facility), some delusional thinking, saying she wants to "go home",  sounding angry or fearful, etc.  How do we react-- accept her reality, or try to reason with her?
• Is there a resource that would tell me what the stages of dementia / Alziemers, from onset to end stages.
• what can be done when aggression is handled by facility by sending person to ER? are there dementia friendly ER's? ER is the worst place to send person
• How do you respond to: "I want to go home?"
• What is the best way to respond when my husband locks me out of the room where he is?
• "Friend told me how he got kicked out of assisted living facility: Run down  the hall naked at midnight yelling FIRE!"
• The family is trying to get person with dementia to move from independent living to memory care facility. She refuses to go or is uncooperative during the pre-acceptance "interview."  Any suggestions?

Chat Transcript

12:04:16     From  Jennifer Brown : Jennifer Brown - Seabury Care Management - jmbrown@seaburyresources.org - 202-364-0020

12:04:34     From  Maureen Charlton   to   Hosts and panelists : Hi Bob!  It's Maureen Charlton--so great to see your face!

12:05:37     From  Adele Logan-Galen   to   Hosts and panelists : Dear Bob:  You probably don't remember me but you helped me a lot.  My Mom had dementia and was starting to wander and you kindly suggested putting up a stop sign inside the front door.  Well it worked!  She is in heaven now but I wanted to say thank you again!  Adele

12:05:42     From  Bernadette Tongue : Bernadette Tongue-Catholic Charties

12:05:50     From  Leslye Lawson   to   Hosts and panelists : Tall Oaks Upcoming Programs:

Steps to Managing Memory, Alzheimer's Disease, and Dementia

• Tuesday, November 1 • 6 pm - 7 pm
• To Register Visit https://talloaksal.com/know/

12:06:26     From  Leslye Lawson : Tall Oaks Upcoming Programs:

Steps to Managing Memory, Alzheimer's Disease, and Dementia

• Tuesday, November 1 • 6 pm - 7 pm
• To Register Visit https://talloaksal.com/know/

12:08:15     From  Maureen Charlton   to   Hosts and panelists : Hi Leslye--this Maureen Charlton --please tell George I said hi!

12:08:45     From  Robert Bell   to   Hosts and panelists : Hi Maureen, nice to hear from you.

12:10:19     From  Karen Fagan   to   Steve Gurney - ProAging Community(Direct Message) : steve we still see the bar above.

12:11:07     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community   to   Karen Fagan(Direct Message) : working on that!

12:11:11     From  Karen Fagan   to   Steve Gurney - ProAging Community(Direct Message) : it might be best if you move it to the bottom

12:11:26     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community   to   Karen Fagan(Direct Message) : better?

12:11:28     From  Karen Fagan   to   Steve Gurney - ProAging Community(Direct Message) : gone!

12:12:55     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Just a reminder that todays discussion is being recorded and will be at https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/ later this afternoon along with a chat and question transcript

12:16:54     From  Karen Fagan : Thank you for joining us today to discuss this important subject.  If you would like additional information about local programs and services offered by the Alzheimer's Association, you can contact me, Karen Fagan, at kafagan@alz.org or 571.450.1122.  You can also contact the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 at 800.272.3900.  The 800# staff is available to provide information, referrals and emotional support.  We are available to help -- call on us.  Thank you -- Karen

12:18:58     From  LaTisha Boyd-Potts : That was a really good example  of pain related commuication

12:25:45     From  Carrie Boone : Great example

12:26:00     From  Bernadette Tongue : Excellent information

12:26:21     From  Dorcas Baker : excellent

12:29:27     From  Cari Sabel : I love the "fold the towels or sox" example !  And now I know what I can tell my kids for future - keep her in kitchen ????

12:33:29     From  Carrie Boone : Beautiful way of meeting the pt where she is

12:34:24     From  Leslye Lawson : Tall Oaks will be sending out the Alzheimer's Association Slide Notes and Workbook for this presentation as well as a Resource Sheet with 800 phone numbers to call for support, to all registrants,  after the webinar.

12:34:51     From  Dorcas Baker : Thank you

12:35:23     From  Belinda Ragin : Thanks Leslye,

12:37:12     From  Erika Chavez : Awesome! thanks.

12:43:45     From  Dorcas Baker : what can be done when aggression is handled by facility by sending the person to the ER? are there dementia friendly ER's? ER is the worst place to send person

12:49:39     From  Bobbie Beharrie : Thanks Leslye

12:50:34     From  Maria Sciulli   to   Hosts and panelists : I have learn so much today , this wonderful

12:51:00     From  Bobbie Beharrie : Validation really works

12:51:58     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Validation Method - Connecting Heart to Heart with Older Adults with Cognitive Decline https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/validation-method-connecting-heart-to-heart-with-older-adults-with-cognitive-decline

12:52:07     From  Susan Ladani : how can you help if they are late stage and non verbal

12:52:57     From  Janet Gritz   to   Hosts and panelists : please show that last slide again

12:53:22     From  Scott Hoing   to   Hosts and panelists : Thanks so much for this presentation.  It was very well done and incredibly helpful.  Excellent examples to build on

12:53:25     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Alzheimer’s Association

We’re here. All day, every day. 

24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900

alz.org®️

12:54:54     From  Karen Fagan : if you are interested in learning more about clinical studies:  www.alz.org/trialmatch

12:55:42     From  Patrice Henry : lately my mother has been getting upset when I am away from her for 10 mins. I'm in the room/house but may be doing something and she can't see me.

12:55:52     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community   to   Janet Gritz and all panelists : Alzheimer’s Association

We’re here. All day, every day. 

24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900

alz.org®️

12:56:32     From  Dorcas Baker : When my auntie ask where is her mother, she is calm when i say she is in heaven

12:57:56     From  Karen Fagan : For information about the stages of disease https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/stages

12:59:09     From  Dorcas Baker : she hit someone

12:59:38     From  Dorcas Baker : exactky..lack of staff training to deescalate

13:00:03     From  Kevin and Karen Heffernan : What to do about frequent dark delirium. Talking about being raped or murdered or someone taking her baby, things smelling like shit or urine, etc.?

13:01:13     From  Belinda Ragin : Social history- Great idea!

13:03:05     From  Patrice Henry : yes, my mother often say I want to go home

13:03:23     From  Karen Fagan : Alzheimer's Association:  800.272.3900  available 24/7  -- our caregivers resources are offered free of charge.  Check out our website:   https://www.alz.org/

13:04:51     From  LaTisha Boyd-Potts : individuals can also have dual diagnosis of a mental health issues along with dementia

13:06:54     From  LaTisha Boyd-Potts : great information Robert Thank you

13:08:47     From  Dorcas Baker : Yes, the facility lets my aunt play the piano of which she loves

13:09:03     From  Leslye Lawson : Tall Oaks will be sending out the Alzheimer's Association Slide Notes and Workbook for this presentation as well as a Resource Sheet with 800 phone numbers to call for support, to all registrants,  after the webinar.

13:09:12     From  Dorcas Baker : also used as a distraction

13:09:50     From  Myra Leysorek   to   Hosts and panelists : Where will the recording be available?

13:09:56     From  Dorcas Baker : thank you for answering our questions☺️

13:10:00     From  Patrice Henry : Yes, thank you so much. very helpful

13:11:19     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Recording will be at https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/ later this afternoon

13:11:28     From  Bernadette Tongue : Thank you so very much for the clean informant presentation. Will be attending other meetings

13:11:35     From  Belinda Ragin : Thank you so much. Great presentation. Definitely will share with other Adult Services Caseworkers. ~Belinda, Calvert Co. DSS~

13:13:04     From  Karen Fagan   to   Belinda Ragin and all panelists : Hi Belinda, contact me if you would like to talk with the So. MD program manager.  kafagan@alz.org 571.450.1122

13:13:43     From  Leslie McTyre : Thanks!!!  please keep these coming!!

13:13:47     From  LaTisha Boyd-Potts : yes this was  great very much needed

13:13:58     From  Sherry Martin : This was a great presentation!  Thank you all!

13:14:07     From  Belinda Ragin   to   Hosts and panelists : Hey Karen, I wrote your contact info. Will do.

13:14:44     From  Lena Carosa   to   Hosts and panelists : thank you, i’ve have become aware of so much. doing it alone is difficult. I should join a support group

13:15:03     From  Tenesha Moore   to   Hosts and panelists : Awesome presentation and very informative!