Find the Meaning Fueling the Behaviour
When we’re thirsty we reach for a glass of water, when we’re searching for inspiration we read the words of our favourite authors, when we’re restless we go for a walk. Human behaviour, whether it’s expressed in the day-to-day or over the long-term, is motivated by the meaning underlying it. As a dementia consultant and educator, I’ve had the opportunity to witness many examples of this. Whether I’m speaking to professional or family caregivers, one of my central pieces of advice in managing difficult dementia-related behaviours is to find the meaning fueling the behaviour. By doing this we can then uncover creative ways for limiting and potentially putting an end to difficult behaviours, without having to turn to drugs which are often accompanied by serious side effects.
An Effective Strategy
I recently heard a powerful story about the effectiveness of this ‘meaning behind the behavior’ strategy. A woman with Alzheimer’s was experiencing high levels of anxiety whenever she saw the black garbage can outside her door. On the surface it would appear that there was no reason for her “unreasonable” agitation. But upon investigating further and asking WHY she was getting distressed, it was discovered that she was imagining the garbage can to actually be a Rottweiler. Why was she so afraid of this imaginary Rottweiler? It turned out that she was the survivor of a concentration camp where Rottweiler dogs were used to guard prisoners. Suddenly her reaction didn’t seem so “unreasonable.” Understanding that the garbage can was a trigger for painful memories, it could be hidden from her view, in order for her to live with more ease and comfort.
A challenging behaviour displayed by someone affected by dementia is no different from the behaviours we use to articulate our own needs, concerns, desires or feelings. This is why it’s important to understand those with dementia in the same way we understand ourselves—not as expressions of an illness or patients of a disease, but as people, as human beings who are defined by more than labels.
