Lisa has been residing at an independent living facility for over 10 years. She has been doing fine with mild symptoms of dementia with no cause for concerns up until the holidays.
Around the holidays, the staff were noticing that Lisa was exhibiting signs of a decline in her cognition. They noticed a decrease in her memory. There is also a time where she became very irritable, refused to eat and was lashing out at staff while accusing them of stealing her things.
Lisa also started to wander and get lost in an environment she had no trouble navigating up until recently.
Ruling Out the Possible Cause(s) of Lisa’s Sudden Change in Behaviour
As we always say here at Dementia Solutions, “There is always a reason behind the behaviour.” Lisa’s healthcare team decided to get some tests done to investigate what could be causing the changes in her behaviour.
They found out that Lisa had a urinary tract infection (UTI), for which she was given a single dose of antibiotics.
However, despite the treatment, her behaviour continued. Additional scans and blood work were ordered. These more recent tests showed that Lisa had very low potassium levels – a condition known as hypokalemia.
Low Potassium and Delirium
Potassium is a micronutrient that our body needs in order to maintain normal bodily functions. The nerves and muscles, particularly, the heart, are more sensitive to changes in potassium levels.
When your body has abnormally low levels of potassium, you may experience muscle weakness, muscle cramps and palpitations or irregular heartbeat.
It is also important to note that very low potassium levels can bring on other symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, psychosis and depression.
The good news is that low potassium levels can be treated through supplements or diet.
What Do You Think Caused Lisa’s Sudden Change in Behaviour?
Put on your detective hats! Your first clue is the word “sudden.” “Sudden change in behaviour” could be delirium.
Delirium can be caused by acute conditions such as infections and possibly, in Lisa’s case, very low potassium levels. In addition, Lisa also had a confirmed UTI which could have exacerbated her sudden and erratic behaviours. Again, we can’t stress this enough…please be mindful that there is always a reason for changed behaviours. In this case, it was a physical change for Lisa.
Do you have a similar experience with the person you are caring for? Dementia Solutions offers a free 20-minute consultation for new clients so we can learn more about your specific concerns and provide you with the best guidance. Please send us an email at [email protected] or click here to book your free consultation.
If you are a home care company or care home interested in encouraging your staff to receive refreshers in dementia care and receive the title of Certified Dementia Care Provider, please send us an email at [email protected] and we can assist you in learning about funding grant options for our dementia education.
Disclaimer
This story is based on a real client’s dementia journey although the names and details have been modified to preserve confidentiality and protect privacy. Our “Meaning Behind the Behaviour Stories” are meant for informational purposes and to share best practices in dementia behaviour management. Each person is unique and what may work for one person, may not necessarily work for another.
