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Practical tips on dealing with the common challenges of Alzheimer’s disease
Zimbabwe Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Association (ZARDA)
Extracted from the ZARDA February 2004 Newsletter

Violence and aggression
From time to time, the person may become angry, aggressive or violent. This can happen for a variety of reasons such as sense of loss of social control and judgment, loss of the ability to express negative feelings safely, and loss of the ability to understand the actions and abilities of others. This is one of the most difficult things to cope with for a carer.

Suggestions:

• Keep calm, try not to show fear or alarm
• Try to draw the person’s attention to a calming activity
• Give the person more space
• Find out what caused the reaction – and try to avoid it in the future
• If violence occurs often, you will need to seek help. Talk to someone for support and speak with your doctor about help in managing the person.

Depression and anxiety
The sufferer with AD may experience depression and be withdrawn and unhappy, and will speak, act and think slowly. This can affect the daily routine and interest in food.

Suggestions:

• Speak with your doctor, who may be able to help or offer a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist
• Give more love and support to the sufferer
• Don’t expect the sufferer to snap out of the depression immediately

Wondering
This can be a worrying problem, which you may need to manage. The sufferer may wander around the home or leave the house and wander around the neighborhood. They may get lost. Safety is a primary concern when the sufferer is out in public alone.

Suggestions:

• Make sure the sufferer carries some form of identification or information on a Medic Alert wrist or neck chain
• Make sure your home is secure and that the sufferer is safe and cannot leave without your knowing
• When the person is found, avoid showing anger – speak calmly, with acceptance and love
• It is helpful to keep an up-to-date photograph in case the sufferer gets lost and you must ask for help from others.

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