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.
- Meditate.
- Listen to soothing/calming or favourite music depending on your mood and personality.
- Participate in something that will distract you.
- Try to step back, and 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 more that the stress in our lives is reduced.
- 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.
(Source: Managing Triggers - By Us For Us Guide, The Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program)
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Additional Reading
Managing Triggers - By Us For Us Guide
A Handbook for Care
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