When Elizabeth Edgerly’s mother was living with memory loss, Edgerly had to help her with daily care activities like getting dressed. At times, her mother became frustrated and couldn’t communicate what she needed.
“I remember a couple instances in which she went to hit me with a cane,” says Elizabeth Edgerly, the senior director of care and support for The Alzheimer’s Association.
People with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), dementia, or other forms of memory loss can display aggression or agitation in moments of frustration. Although there isn’t a cure, scientists are learning more about what causes aggression in people with memory loss and a better understanding of how caregivers can cope.
What Causes Aggression in Dementia Patients?
Most patients with memory loss who show aggression or agitation do not have a history of violence or other antisocial behaviors. But dementia causes neurodegeneration, and depending on the disease type, the structural changes can occur in the parts of the brain involved with regulating emotions and impulses.
