What is agitation in Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects the parts of the brain that control thought, language, and memory. It most often affects people who are in their mid-60s or older, but it can affect people at younger ages, too. The condition can cause a wide range of symptoms, including a cluster of symptoms that are referred to as agitation.

People living with Alzheimer’s disease will need help from caregivers. In many cases, care is provided by a family member or loved one. If you are caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease, it helps to understand what agitation can look like and what you can do to help a loved one experiencing agitation.

What are the symptoms of agitation?

Agitation refers to feeling restless, irritable, worried, or excited to the point where it becomes difficult to function normally. Most people have felt agitated at some point or another—it can be caused by stress, too much caffeine, reactions to medications, and many different illnesses and health conditions.

In people who have Alzheimer’s disease, agitation describes episodes of behavioral and psychological symptoms that can include:

• Pacing, wandering, and other restless movements and behaviors.
• Emotional distress—a person may be angry, irritable, tense, confused, worried, or frustrated.
• Aggression toward others or oneself, including shouting, being argumentative, or physical aggression.
• Resisting care or being unwilling to work with caregivers. For example, refusing to take medications.

While agitation symptoms can vary from person to person, episodes can be severe, and can put a person’s safety at risk, as well as the safety of those around them.

What causes episodes of agitation?

The physical changes that occur in the brain when a person has Alzheimer’s disease can impair memory, communication, and other aspects of cognitive functioning. These changes also affect how a person responds to situations and stimuli. Unfamiliar surroundings, noisy or crowded environments, physical discomfort, hunger, fatigue, and frustration with themselves or others can all trigger episodes of agitation.

What to do if a loved one displays symptoms of agitation?

Any time you notice a change or worsening of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, talk to your loved one’s healthcare provider (HCP). Alzheimer’s disease is a different experience for every person, and your loved one’s HCPs will be your best source of information. Be prepared to describe your loved one’s symptoms and the circumstances in which these symptoms are occurring.

Identifying the things that are triggering episodes of agitation is an important part of managing agitation. As a caregiver, pay attention to what events, situations, or stimuli cause your loved one to become agitated. Work to come up with strategies to avoid the things that trigger episodes, or to help calm the person if they become agitated. Playing familiar, soothing music is often an effective calming method.

Although Alzheimer’s disease can make communication difficult, talk to your loved one about what they are experiencing. This includes keeping your loved one involved in their own care and decisions about their health and wellness. People living with Alzheimer’s disease may feel like they are not in control of their lives and struggle with the loss of independence they once had.