How to Handle Difficult Behaviors
Quick to anger
Possible causes:
Frustration over life in general, distress over a perceived wrong, personality changes due to dementia
What to do:
Resist the natural impulse to feel defensive or yell back. You'll wind up in a downward spiral.
Calmly tell your loved one that you can see he or she is upset about something (name it, if you know), and ask what it is and how you can help: "I can tell you're upset that the doctor didn't call back; what would you like me to do?" Feeling understood often defuses the anger. Then you can move to constructive solutions.
If the verbal abuse continues, explain that you're willing to listen, but only if your loved one stops shouting at you. Be respectful but firm.
Understand that an angry person usually sees the world as unfair, either because of an immediate wrong or a past one. Try verbalizing this by saying something like, "I know you don't think it's fair that the doctor doesn't respect your time. How can I help?"
See more on how to handle a hothead.
