Although anger is a perfectly normal and expected emotion to feel from time to time, chronic agitation and aggression can have serious repercussions for your quality of life. The stress can affect your physical health, and your aggressive behavior could create distance between yourself and your loved ones. Aggression can be a particularly challenging problem for seniors. There are a number of reasons that you or your aging loved one might start to have more outbursts, so it’s important to approach the situation from a place of compassion. Understanding the causes of senior aggression can help you get to the root of the problem and find the appropriate solution.
Here is everything you need to know about identifying, preventing, and managing anger and aggression in seniors:
5 Causes of Senior Aggression
Changes in personality in older adulthood are not uncommon. Sometimes, anger and aggression increase because of social or environmental factors, and other times, these issues occur because of medical or neurological issues. The following are some of the most common causes of aggression in seniors:
1. Sleeping Problems
Your sleep cycle can change as you age, and you might find it harder to get a full night of rest. Being sleep-deprived makes it so much harder to manage stress and stay calm during frustrating situations. Your senior loved one might have a short fuse if they always feel tired or fatigued.
2. Chronic Pain
Seniors with chronic pain may struggle to keep a positive attitude. When your body always aches, you might not have the mental or emotional fortitude to calm yourself down when you get upset. You’re already exhausted and frustrated from the pain, so it may not take much to trigger outbursts.
3. Isolation or Lack of Activity
Anyone can get restless if they spend too much time alone at home. Loneliness is one of the biggest issues affecting older adults, and it can lead to intense stress, anxiety, and agitation. This is especially concerning if the individual doesn’t get regular exercise or engage in stimulating hobbies.
4. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
UTIs are very common in older adults, and surprisingly, they often cause behavioral or psychological symptoms. If you or your aging family member suddenly seems agitated, confused, or angry, a UTI might be the culprit.
5. Alzheimer’s or Dementia
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia have a widespread impact on the brain, and many people with these conditions experience an increase in anxiety and agitation. Confusion and difficulty communicating may play a role in your senior loved one’s aggression.
When to Be Concerned
If you’ve noticed yourself or an aging relative becoming angry or aggressive more frequently, you might wonder whether or not you should be concerned. It’s always wise to consult with the individual’s physician to rule out possible medical causes to the anger. Getting a professional opinion about your specific situation can help to put your mind at ease.
In general, occasional moments of anger are not a major cause for concern. When aggression becomes a consistent pattern of behavior, you should definitely reach out for support or put measures in place to help your loved one regulate their emotions.
The biggest red flag to watch out for is combativeness. Older adults sometimes appear aggressive because they’re feeling overwhelmed, but they don’t actually have an intention to take their frustration out on someone else. If your loved one tries to pick a fight or uses aggressive language toward others, though, they’re likely struggling with a serious issue. Not only should you make sure they have the support they need, but you also must protect yourself and other family members from harm.
How to Prevent Senior Aggression
Preventing aggressive behaviors before they begin is the best way to handle anger in older adults. Although you can’t always predict whether or not an individual will experience senior aggression, there are situations in which aggression is likely. For example, if your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you should plan for angry or aggressive outbursts.
Here Are Some Suggestions for Reducing the Possibility of Aggression in Older Adults
Keep a daily routine.
Routine provides a sense of structure and expectation. Senior aggression sometimes occurs when the individual feels anxious or dysregulated, but getting into the rhythm of a daily routine can be very comforting. You don’t have to add intense structure to every single moment of your loved one’s day, but creating a pattern for sleeping, eating, self-care tasks, and hobbies can help them stay calm.
Reduce clutter in your living space.
A noisy, cluttered, or chaotic environment can contribute to anxiety and agitation. Our minds are very perceptive to our environment, so keeping a calm living space can do wonders for your or your loved one’s mental health. Try to reduce the amount of visual clutter throughout your house, and switch to soft and gentle sources of lighting.
Consider counseling for seniors.
Counseling for seniors is one of the most valuable resources for older adults who are at risk of aggression or other mental health issues. It’s essential that you practice your coping skills when you’re calm and relaxed so that you can easily access them when you reach a heightened state of anger. In counseling for seniors, you or your loved one can analyze moments that caused stress or agitation to figure out how to better handle similar situations in the future.
How to Manage Senior Aggression
If your loved one is already facing an increase in aggression, you can take steps to alleviate their pain and ensure the household’s safety. Here are some key ideas to consider:
Validate and redirect.
When your loved one starts to get agitated, it’s important to acknowledge what they’re going through. Dismissing or ignoring their anger could make them feel even more frustrated. However, you shouldn’t linger too long on the situation that’s making them angry. Instead, after you validate their emotions, try to redirect their attention to a new activity or topic of conversation.
Use physical touch to de-escalate.
Some seniors will become more agitated by physical touch when they’re feeling aggressive, but others find it soothing and grounding. Try placing a gentle hand on your loved one’s arm or shoulder when they start to get upset. This may calm them down and remind them that they’re with someone they can trust.
Pay attention to your nonverbal communication.
Your body language and facial expressions can send a louder message than your words. When you offer calming words of support, make sure your nonverbal communication matches what you’re saying. This can greatly reduce confusion and agitation in your loved one, and it can strengthen your bond with one another.
Remove potential weapons from the home.
If you’re at all concerned about combativeness, it’s best to remove potential weapons or make them inaccessible to your aging loved one. In addition to removing knives, firearms, and other obvious weapons, you should also take care of any heavy or sharp household objects that could be used for violence.
Senior aggression can be a scary and upsetting experience for the older adult and for their loved ones. Remember that aggression is a common struggle with aging and that it does not reflect your loved one’s true feelings toward you. Do your best to help them manage their anger, and don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support if you need guidance.
Blue Moon Senior Counseling offers therapy for senior aggression, anger, anxiety, and other concerns. You can contact us today to learn more about the benefits of counseling for seniors.