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"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-alzheimers-disease-98795&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Alzheimer\u2019s&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; and &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/alzheimers-disease-98770&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;other dementias&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; often are accompanied by challenging behaviors that we\u2019re not always prepared to handle. Sometimes, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-dementia-98745&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;dementia&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; seems to bring out the individual&amp;amp;#39;s basic personality all the more. Other times, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/personality-changes-in-alzheimers-97989&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;personalities seem to be completely different&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;\u00A0as dementia progresses.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For example, a loved one may be &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/foul-language-and-dementia-97610&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot;&amp;gt;punctuating every sentence with &amp;amp;amp;**%***#%*&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;-- words she\u2019s never uttered throughout her whole life. A husband who has been faithful to his wife for their entire marriage may now be attempting to touch someone inappropriately or begin to have a \u201Cgirlfriend\u201D at a facility where he lives. Yet another person may have always been hospitable and welcoming, and now refuses to open the door to visitors and can be heard screaming for them to leave.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;A Resource for You: &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/people-with-dementia-might-say-97649&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;6&amp;quot;&amp;gt;10 Things People with Dementia Might Say and How to Respond&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Why Is the Term \u201CChallenging Behaviors\u201D Used?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;You can call it what you want, but often the behaviors in dementia do challenge us, as well as the person experiencing them. Other terms used to describe them include:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Behavioral Problems&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/behavioral-pyschological-symptoms-of-dementia-bpsd-97644&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;7&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Behavior Concerns&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Behavior Changes&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Acting Out&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Difficult Behaviors&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Disruptive Behaviors&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Behavioral Symptoms&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Inappropriate Behaviors&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Does Everyone With Alzheimer\u2019s or Another Dementia Experience Challenging Behaviors?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Many people do. Studies indicate that anywhere from 60 to 90% of people with dementia develop behavior concerns\u00A0at some point in their disease.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;There are some people who remain \u201Cpleasantly confused\u201D the whole time they have dementia. For some reason, these individuals don\u2019t become anxious or agitated but rather they transition from a gradual forgetfulness to decreased awareness. However, this is usually the exception rather than the rule.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Are Some Examples of Challenging Behaviors?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/hoarding-and-dementia-97611&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;8&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Hoarding&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Disrobing&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/foul-language-and-dementia-97610&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;9&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Swearing&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/is-repetition-in-dementia-driving-you-crazy-97637&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;10&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Repetition&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/paranoia-delusions-alzheimers-disease-98563&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;11&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Paranoia/Suspicion&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/reducing-the-risk-of-apathy-in-dementia-98589&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;12&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Apathy&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/reducing-and-responding-to-pacing-behavior-in-dementia-98588&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;13&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pacing&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Withdrawal&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Anger&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/how-alzheimers-disease-can-cause-odd-sexual-behavior-97730&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;14&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Inappropriate Sexual Behavior&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/tips-on-responding-to-agitation-in-dementia-97642&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;15&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Agitation&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/how-to-respond-to-combative-behavior-from-dementia-97987&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;16&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Physical Aggression&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/living-with-alzheimers-family-97614&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;17&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Verbal Aggression&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/coping-with-obsessive-compulsive-behavior-97616&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;18&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/prevent-wandering-dementia-causes-97639&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;19&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wandering&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Causes Challenging Behaviors in Dementia?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Alzheimer\u2019s is a disease that affects the brain, and the brain is what controls our behaviors. So it follows that not only our thinking and &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/types-of-memory-explained-98552&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;20&amp;quot;&amp;gt;memory&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; are affected, but also our behaviors.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Many times, we can put our detective skills to use and figure out a cause for the behavior, and then that helps us determine how we should respond and try to prevent it. There are three types of factors that cause challenging behaviors:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Physical causes of challenging behaviors including discomfort or illness&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Psychological / cognitive causes of challenging behaviors such as confusion or &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/paranoia-delusions-alzheimers-disease-98563&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;21&amp;quot;&amp;gt;paranoia&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/environmental-causes-97609&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;22&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Environmental / external causes of challenging behaviors&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; like an overstimulating environment or a different routine&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;In What Stage Do Challenging Behaviors Occur in Alzheimer\u2019s?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Different kinds of behaviors occur during the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/symptoms-of-alzheimers-disease-98570&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;23&amp;quot;&amp;gt;stages&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; of &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-alzheimers-disease-98795&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;24&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Alzheimer\u2019s&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. Typically, in the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-to-expect-in-the-early-stages-of-alzheimers-98242&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;25&amp;quot;&amp;gt;early stages of dementia&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, people will battle the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/types-of-memory-explained-98552&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;26&amp;quot;&amp;gt;memory loss&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; by initiating behaviors that they feel help them to control the situation or prevent problems. For example, it\u2019s not unusual to see someone develop a level of &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/coping-with-obsessive-compulsive-behavior-97616&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;27&amp;quot;&amp;gt;obsessive-compulsive behavior&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; since routine and repetition are reassuring and can prevent mistakes.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Other people in early dementia will begin &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/hoarding-and-dementia-97611&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;28&amp;quot;&amp;gt;hoarding&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; things, either because they forgot they already had the item or because they are comforted by knowing they have multiple items in case of an emergency.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;As the disease progresses into the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/mid-stage-alzheimers-98243&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;29&amp;quot;&amp;gt;middle stages&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, individuals may develop more anger, aggression and &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/tips-on-responding-to-agitation-in-dementia-97642&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;30&amp;quot;&amp;gt;agitation&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. The middle stages tend to be the most difficult in terms of behaviors, since the person&amp;amp;#39;s ability to reason or use logic has declined. People in the middle stages also might experience some psychological behaviors such as &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/responding-to-and-treating-hallucinations-in-dementia-98567&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;31&amp;quot;&amp;gt;hallucinations&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; or &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/paranoia-delusions-alzheimers-disease-98563&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;32&amp;quot;&amp;gt;paranoia&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, which can be very upsetting and distressing for the person and her loved ones.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.verywell.com/symptoms-of-late-stage-alzheimers-disease-98604&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;33&amp;quot;&amp;gt;later stages of dementia&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;\u00A0, people tend to experience more &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/reducing-the-risk-of-apathy-in-dementia-98589&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;34&amp;quot;&amp;gt;apathy&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; and withdrawal. It can become more difficult to elicit a response from your loved one. In late stage Alzheimer&amp;amp;#39;s, individuals usually require more physical assistance from you in their &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/dementia-daily-living-adls-97635&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;35&amp;quot;&amp;gt;activities of daily care&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;\u00A0but display fewer challenging behaviors.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Responding to Challenging Behaviors&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Knowing how to respond to challenging behaviors can be a true challenge. When loved ones become angry or aggressive, it&amp;amp;#39;s not unusual to feel\u00A0hurt or frustrated. Reminding yourself that the behavior you&amp;amp;#39;re seeing is a result of the disease and not the person&amp;amp;#39;s choice can help you cope with these feelings.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Sometimes, family or friends can benefit from a short break if the frustration is too much. It&amp;amp;#39;s okay to give yourself a time out to take a deep breath and then return to your loved one after calming yourself.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Some physicians will prescribe &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/drugs-for-alzheimers-symptoms-98261&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;36&amp;quot;&amp;gt;medications to help with these behavioral symptoms&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, but keep in mind that &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/coping-with-challenging-behaviors-in-alzheimers-97702&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;37&amp;quot;&amp;gt;non-drug approaches&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; should be tried first and in a consistent manner.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Sources:&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Alzheimer Scotland- Action on Dementia. Understanding and dealing with challenging behaviour. Accessed March 29, 2012. &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.alzscot.org/pages/info/behaviour.htm&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;38&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.alzscot.org/pages/info/behaviour.htm&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Alzheimer&amp;amp;#39;s Association. Behaviors. Accessed April 29, 2012. &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_behaviors.asp&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;39&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_behaviors.asp&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<https://www.verywell.com/the-complete-guide-to-challenging-behaviors-in-dementia-97607>