1. < Caregivers: Dementia

What strategies help you cope with behavioral changes in loved one?

Posted by lorrie2772 @lorrie2772, Aug 5, 2022

My wife has recently been diagnosed with amnestic, mild cognitive Impairment, multidomain. The doctor has ordered EEG, Neuropsychological evaluation and an aphasia assessment.
My question is regarding strategies for myself to cope with the dramatic behavioral changes. She has changed from a docile caring woman to frequent irritability and verbal agitation.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

lorrie2772 | @lorrie2772 | Aug 24, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Lorrie, I'd like to add my welcome. I hope you don't mind, but I updated..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi Lorrie,
I'd like to add my welcome. I hope you don't mind, but I updated the title of this discussion because I think your primary question is one that many people ask. I want to continue to gather coping strategies from partners caring for someone living with cognitive impairment.

I also thought, in addition to the great suggestions by fellow members, you might like a short inventory of some related and useful discussions in the group to gather further tips and to add your thoughts:
- Caregiver support: What are your book recommendations? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/caregiver-support-1/
- In-home care can often be of great help for caregivers https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/in-home-care/
- Dealing with Anger and Disbelief in person with dementia https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dealing-with-anger-and-disbelief-in-person-with-dementia/
- Transitions..... Medications for Behavioral Symptoms https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/transitions-medications-for-behavioral-symptoms/
- How can people feel comfortable talking with my wife who has dementia? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/communicating-with-dementia-patients/
- MCI: Trying to find our best path and what to do next https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/trying-to-find-our-best-path/

Lorrie, what strategies have you already put into action? What do you find challenging (today)?

Jump to this post

Hi, thank you for the suggestions and comments. My biggest concern is the level of irritability and anger she is experiencing. This is definitely different from her past typical self. She is only 58 years old. The irritability seems to come from no where. She had an MRI back in the spring, which didn’t show anything concerning. Earlier this week she had an EEG. We are still waiting for the results. She is scheduled for a neuropsychological evaluation in October. After all the testing she goes back to see the neurologist in November.
I have scheduled an appointment to meet with a mental health therapist next week for myself.
Sometimes I feel like I live walking on eggshells.

Once again, thank you for everything.

REPLY
jip499 | @jip499 | Aug 24, 2022
In reply to @billchitwood "It is Seroquel - it took over a month for it to kick in for Bill...." + (show)
@billchitwood

It is Seroquel - it took over a month for it to kick in for Bill. Amazing difference. They also have him on Clonazepam - very small dose - as he suffers from rapid eye movement disorder. This has also helped with that. It could get really scary when he would dream someone was attacking him and he had to defend himself (since I was the closest his 'attack' would be against me!)

With his constant anger he wasn't enjoying life either.

Jump to this post

My husband also has scary dreams. Was it Seroquel or clonazepam that helped your husband with scary dreams?

REPLY
1 reply
Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Aug 24, 2022
In reply to @jip499 "My husband also has scary dreams. Was it Seroquel or clonazepam that helped your husband with..." + (show)
@jip499

My husband also has scary dreams. Was it Seroquel or clonazepam that helped your husband with scary dreams?

Jump to this post

The Seroquel was for his extreme anger. The clonazepam is supposed to help on Rapid Eye Disorder. It has helped although he still talks in his sleep and will sometimes move his arms wildly - but a lot less than before. At least he isn't dreaming that someone is trying to kill him and he has to defend himself!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.