Aging adults can be a challenge to handle. They are often dealing with dementia and other health issues that make it difficult for them to communicate clearly. This makes it hard for families to know how longterm care in Louisiana may handle temper tantrums in their loved ones. While every senior-friendly independent living community is different, some general rules can help you understand how your loved one might act when at home or in a retirement community.
Limit Distractions
The first step is to limit distractions. If your loved one is watching TV or reading a book, try to get them to put it aside for the time being. Try not to let them play with their toys until the temper tantrum has passed.
If you are having difficulty getting your loved one to calm down, try sitting down next to them or and taking his hand in yours as you speak softly and calmly about what’s bothering him or her. Letting them know that they have your attention can help reduce their anxiety so that they can relax more easily.
Provide A Safe Space And Time To Vent
As a caregiver, providing a safe space and time for your loved one to vent is essential. It can be very stressful for them when they cannot express themselves appropriately because of their condition. You can help them by listening and processing what they say without judging or criticizing them. You don’t have to always agree with what they’re saying but try to avoid passing judgment on the content of their statements either.
Listening is the most helpful thing you can do for someone with a temper tantrum. It’s essential to keep your mouth shut, give them your full attention, and not interrupt. If a loved one tells you they want something, but they don’t want to hear what you have to say about it, they are dealing with some other issues that need to be addressed outside of their preferences on food or clothes or whatever else they’re complaining about at the moment. You may feel like things need changing to make things easier for everyone involved—but that’s usually not true! Instead of assuming this role yourself or trying to tell your loved one what they need or don’t need (which will only make things worse), listen carefully for clues about why this behavior is happening in the first place.
Seek Professional Help
You must seek professional help before the situation gets worse. If your loved one has a temper tantrum and physically harms themselves or others, contact your local police department immediately. It may also be helpful to seek a therapist if this behavior becomes frequent or intense.
If you are a professional who works with aging adults, it can be helpful to seek resources for yourself and your clients when dealing with these behaviors. Seeking assistance from other professionals like therapists and nurses may help provide better support for both sides during these difficult times.
Conclusion
We know how difficult it can be for caregivers when their clients lose their temper and act out in ways damaging to their well-being and the people around them. But we’re here to help. If this is happening in your house, give us a call!
