How to Calm an Angry Dementia Care Provider

You may have read our recent post How to Calm Angry Outbursts of People Living with Dementia, where we discussed strategies to bring back calm and comfort for you both. Since we all know that it takes two to tango and anger can occur on both sides of the care relationship, we also wanted to share some things that a person living with dementia may try if their care partner is angry.

In dementia care, there will be moments when a caregiver (or care partner, as we prefer to them here at Positive Approach to Care®), will lose their temper and have an angry outburst. After trying and trying, they will have hit a point where they feel they just can’t take it anymore.

This may occur in a variety of situations, such as when you (the person who is living with dementia) indicate repeatedly that you do not want or need the help they are trying to offer. Whether it is help with bathing, bathroom matters, money handling, driving, or navigating safety issues, you have told the helper that you are fine or don’t want or need their help. So for you, this anger comes out of nowhere and feels unjustified.

If you are a person living with a changing brain who is not expecting this reaction from someone who is supposed to be helpful or friendly, it is important to recognize signals that things are not as they should be. Something different…