My mother has advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

Here is a question we received around Alzheimer’s disease:

My mother has advanced Alzheimer’s disease. How do we deal with her yelling and screaming?

We always advise a doctor’s visit to be sure her prescriptions are still working for her as they should. Sometimes a slight adjustment in medications can make a world of difference. Often an elderly person might be dehydrated or have a UTI that will increase dementia symptoms.

You might ask the nurse at Care For Life to come in to do a comprehensive assessment of your mother and the home environment. Your mother might be experiencing too much stimulation through television or unsettling family interactions. There might be too many different faces everyday for her to feel safe.
When she gets upset and starts yelling, if possible to do so safely, to back away from the situation at hand. Lower your voice. Speak calmly. Try to redirect activity to something less stressful.
Remember your mother has no control over her Alzheimer’s Disease. You need to gain knowledge about the disease and engage with your mother’s medical professionals for her benefit and your peace of mind.