As a person living with dementia, what can you do to help gain back control after you become agitated?

• Practice deep breathing. This is very important to do, especially if you are not physically active, because it allows oxygen to go to your brain.
• Enter a quiet place with subdued lighting or close your eyes.
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• Listen to soothing/calming or favourite music depending on your mood and personality.
• Participate in something that will distract you.
• Try to step back, take a breath of fresh air and calm down. (Count to 10!)
• Share your feelings with others: I have found that the more open I am about those things that cause me to become agitated and communicate this with my children, family, and close friends, the less stress we experience.

We also ask that others help us in minimizing triggers and agitations.  This can be done by listening to us about what we need and by providing gentle assistance.

Read the Managing Triggers - By Us For Us Guide to learn about some of the triggers that people experience and the solutions that they have developed.

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Relaxation Apps and Tools

The following Apps are a few examples of online tools to help people with dementia relax and alleviate agitation. They can also help care partners to manage their own stressors.

Each App offers a variety of features such as guided meditations, relaxation techniques, soothing music, and nature sounds.

Unwinding by Sharecare: Offers help to reflect on the understandable challenges you often experience as a caregiver and learn how to work through them in healthy, productive way. In partnership with the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI). 

Headspace: Through evidence-based meditation and mindfulness tools, mental health coaching, therapy, and psychiatry, Headspace helps you create life-changing habits to support your mental health and find a healthier, happier you. 

Calm: Calm offers guided meditation sessions, soothing music, and bedtime stories to help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Simple Habit: Simple Habit offers guided meditations and mindfulness exercises designed to fit into busy schedules and promote relaxation. 

Breathwrk: Breathing Exercises: This app offers various breathing exercises and techniques to help reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation. 

Aura: Mindfulness & Happiness: Aura provides personalized meditation, life coaching, stories, and music to help reduce stress and improve mental well-being. 

Pzizz: Sleep, Nap, Focus: Pzizz offers customizable audio tracks for sleep, relaxation, and focus using clinically-proven techniques. 

More Learning Resources

Managing Triggers - By Us For Us Guide

A Handbook for Care

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