Although every day is different, consistently feeling grumpy, irritated, and even childlike may occur because of underlying conditions, such as cognitive decline.
Conditions like dementia gradually damage areas in the brain responsible for emotional regulation, social behavior, and reasoning. Changes in a person’s mood, behavior, and personality aren’t deliberate but symptoms of their condition.
Navigating these challenges requires compassion, patience, and empathy. Our approach to memory care focuses on supporting residents, so they continue feeling safe and understood.
Cognitive Decline & Changing Personality
Changes in mood, behavior, and personality are common in people experiencing cognitive decline because of the direct impact these conditions have on the brain.
Conditions like dementia disrupt the brain’s regions responsible for emotional regulation, social behavior, and reasoning. This can lead to significant changes in how a person processes emotions or interprets social cues, which manifest in shifts in mood and personality.
Changes in someone’s behavior often reflect an internal struggle to cope with confusion or a reduced ability to adapt to new situations.
As someone’s inability to make sense of the world diminishes, they can experience anxiety, and fear, or act uncharacteristically, such as repeating questions, wandering, or showcasing obsessive habits.
This is also why we see changes in a loved one’s personality. These shifts aren’t indicative of a person “changing who they are,” but rather of how the disease alters their behavior because of the brain’s diminished capacity to manage impulses and emotions effectively.
These shifts in a loved one’s personality are a direct result of the cognitive changes they’re experiencing and not a reflection of intentional actions or flaws, so it’s important to navigate these challenges with empathy and patience.
Why Is My Parent More Childlike?
Dementia strips away layers of learned social behavior and conventions, causing them to become more childlike.
As cognitive decline progresses, dementia can affect areas of the brain responsible for judgment, impulse control, and reasoning, leading to behavior patterns we often see in children.
A disruption in these areas can cause people to act on immediate emotions or needs without considering appropriateness, mimicking the behavior of a young child.
Their increasing support of others for assistance with daily tasks reinforces this child-like dynamic, as they feel a loss of autonomy and revert to simpler reactions to cope with frustration. This can range from needing more attention or reassurance or throwing tantrum-like outbursts.
Changes in their social environment and lifestyle that come with growing older often cause older adults to gradually isolate themselves from others. When older adults feel vulnerable or insecure, they may turn to childhood behaviors for comfort and attention.
Why Is My Parent Grumpy & Irritable?
Disorientation and confusion are frustrating for anyone, especially for people with dementia, which is why they can feel irritated and grumpy.
Once simple tasks like recalling names, remembering faces, completing tasks, or assessing their surroundings become challenging, leading to feelings of inadequacy and helplessness.
People with cognitive decline find comfort in routine, and any changes to this, along with physical discomfort, combined with the challenge of voicing the cause for their discomfort, can lead to shorter tempers or frequent outbursts.
Being unable to regulate or voice their emotions because of these changes intensifies these feelings of grumpiness and irritability.
Why is My Parent Stubborn?
Losing independence can be frightening, and this fear can translate to resisting suggestions in an attempt to find some sense of control. This is why dementia can lead to stubbornness.
A reduced ability to process new information, understand, and make sense of reasoning is also what makes someone more likely to stick to familiar habits, and routines, and remain in their comfort zone.
Furthermore, when the brain’s regions responsible for decision-making and flexibility are affected, this exacerbates their stubbornness, making compromise or cooperation overwhelmingly difficult.
Why Is My Parent Acting Self-Centered?
Self-centered behavior in older adults with dementia is often a byproduct of damage to regions of the brain related to empathy and social behavior. This negatively affects their ability to empathize with others and see their perspective.
As a consequence, they become more focused on their own needs, unaware of how their actions, behavior, or words affect their loved ones.
Supporting Your Parents Through These Shifts
We owe it to our parents to support them as they navigate these ongoing changes in their physical, cognitive, and emotional health.
These shifts in behavior, mood, and personality aren’t easy. It requires ongoing patience, compassion, and empathy, not only for your loved one but for yourself as well.
Caring for a loved one with dementia is an equal mix of reward and responsibility. Here are some helpful strategies to consider:
- Educate yourself: Learning about the changes your parent is experiencing can help you respond to their ongoing needs and wants. Consider reading books, attending seminars, or joining support groups focusing on cognitive decline.
- Develop a routine: People with dementia respond well to a daily routine because it provides a sense of stability, comfort, and familiarity. This helps reduce feelings of confusion.
- Be patient and flexible: It’s normal for your parent’s behavior to fluctuate. Some days might be better than others. Focus on staying calm and accommodating the support they need.
- Maintain open communication: Encourage your parent to share their feelings and concerns. Listen without judgment, don’t be dismissive, and encourage one-on-one conversations in a distraction-free environment.
- Stimulate the mind and body: Encourage activities that stimulate your parents’ cognitive and physical health, such as light exercises, puzzles, reading, and board games.
Finding Support in Memory Care
At The Lodge at Historic Lewes, our trained staff members use personalized approaches, tailored to residents’ specific needs. They skillfully manage emotional fluctuations and behavioral challenges with patience and empathy.
Our approach to memory care emphasizes consistent routines to help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm for our residents. Book a tour at The Lodge at Historic Lewes and learn how we support families and their loved ones through every stage of this journey.
