For our loved ones living with dementia, behavior is communication—especially when words fail them. What may seem like disruptive behavior is often their way of expressing an unmet need. Instead of viewing the behavior as a problem to be “fixed,” caregivers should approach it as a message to be understood.

What Is the Person Trying to Communicate?

Since dementia affects language, reasoning, and memory, individuals may act out to express discomfort, frustration, or confusion. By recognizing the root cause, caregivers can respond with compassionate, person-centered care rather than reacting to the behavior itself.

Common Unmet Needs and Their Behavioral Expressions

1. Physical Discomfort or Pain

• Behavior: Agitation, restlessness, refusing care, yelling, or aggression
• Possible Cause: Undiagnosed pain (e.g., arthritis, urinary tract infection, headache), hunger, thirst, or constipation
• How care partners help: Check for signs of pain (facial grimacing, guarding a body part), offer comfort measures like soft seating or warm blankets, ensure hydration, and anticipate toileting needs.

2. Overstimulation or Sensory Overload

• Behavior: Covering ears, shouting, pacing, attempting to leave a noisy area
• Possible Cause: Loud environments, bright lights, too many people talking at once
• How care partners help: Reduce background noise, provide a calm and predictable space, and introduce quiet time with soothing music or a familiar routine.

3. Boredom or Lack of Purpose

• Behavior: Repetitive questioning, rummaging, wandering, following caregivers around
• Possible Cause: The person may be looking for something to do or seeking engagement
• How care partners help: Offer meaningful activities based on past interests—sorting household items, folding towels, listening to favorite music, or engaging in light physical activity.

4. Confusion or Disorientation

• Behavior: Resistance to care, anxiety, suspicion, accusing others of stealing
• Possible Cause: Not recognizing caregivers, forgetting where they are, sundowning (late afternoon confusion)
• How care partners help: Approach gently, use familiar words and reassuring tones, validate emotions instead of correcting, and provide visual cues to help orient them.

 5. Loneliness or Fear

• Behavior: Calling out, crying, refusing to let caregivers leave the room
• Possible Cause: Feeling isolated, needing reassurance
• How care partners help: Offer companionship, reminisce with photo albums, provide comforting physical touch if appropriate (holding hands, a warm blanket), and ensure they feel safe.

6. Routine Disruptions or Time-Related Triggers

• Behavior: Restlessness at 4:00 PM, trying to leave at shift change, becoming upset at mealtimes
• Possible Cause: A lifetime routine is being disrupted (e.g., they always picked up children at 4:00 PM, used to leave work at shift change)
• How care partners help: Maintain consistent daily routines, redirect with familiar tasks (e.g., sorting papers for a former teacher), and validate their emotions.

Becoming a Dementia Detective

Instead of reacting to disruptive behavior, caregivers can step back and ask:
✅ What happened right before the behavior?
✅ Does this happen at a certain time of day?
✅ Is the person in pain, hungry, tired, or overstimulated?
✅ What comforts them?

By uncovering the true cause of the behavior, we can respond in a way that prevents distress rather than just managing it afterward. Every behavior is an attempt to communicate—it’s up to us to listen.

If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, our trained caregivers at Home Care Partners can help. Contact us to learn more about our person-centered approach to dementia care.

We bring Memory Care Home. Call or text us today to schedule a free consultation. 402-780-1211

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Home Care Partners Staff

Home Care is an affordable way to bring Independent and Assisted Living levels of care directly into the home. It also provides additional support when needed for those already living in a senior living community.

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