Family and friends acting as caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s disease often have a very trying task on their hands. Care giving is a full time job, and on top of having to cope with the emotional toll of watching a loved progressively deteriorate with Alzheimer’s disease, there will also be times that the patient behaves in a distressing manner. Preparing for potential behavioral changes that may arise can help the caregiver deal with the behavior in the best and safest way for the patient.

Alzheimer’s disease presents symptoms in two different classes; cognitive deterioration and psychiatric problems. Cognitive deterioration involves the loss of memory and the ability to solve problems or complete daily activities. The cognitive deterioration is the part of Alzheimer’s disease that is not treatable or reversible.

Psychiatric problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease are the area out of which behavioral problems are most likely to arise. The good news is that most psychiatric and behavioral issues can be treated with the proper medications.

Personality changes are common in Alzheimer’s patients. They may become withdrawn and isolate themselves, or they may become moody and irritable. These changes may be caused by depression over the diagnosis or depression/mood changes brought on the changing chemistry of the patient’s brain. A doctor can prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to help with low mood. Depression generally responds to patients even in late stage Alzheimer’s disease, so keeping an eye out for the symptoms can be important to a patient’s well being, even when they can no longer express what they are feeling themselves.

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