Does aggression and agitation fade as the disease progresses?

welcome to the forum. The medication probably has more to do with controlling the aggression and agitation than disease progression does. The controlled environment probably also helps. There might be a time in the distant future when you could try tapering off medications, but it’s probably very remote and iffy even then. Sorry it’s so difficult, a lot of us are in the same boat.

FWIW, I think it's less due to disease progression than it is to having a controlled, regular environment. My DH has now been in MC for almost two months, and while I don't visit often, at each visit he has seemed as though he is peaceful and settling in well. FWIW, before dementia, DH was a clinical and forensic psychologist and last time we visited he told us he "didn't have dementia" and "Had made many suggestions" about better care for the people at his facility. He thinks he's working there as a psychologist and that seems to make him feel productive and useful. Staff have simply allowed these beliefs to flourish as I was unable to do.

My DW is well past this stage now, but when she was at home with me she was never violent or aggressive but she was very agitated, anxious and confused. I believe the environment of our home created in her a familiarity with a routine she could no longer comprehend. I believe she always felt she should be doing the "usual" chores and hobbies that the house sparked some recognition of, but she could no longer understand. She would constantly move things around, and also put them in car with the need to go somewhere she could never define.

When I had to move her to a MCF, she immediately calmed down and enjoyed the simple activities, routine and socializing that the MCF created. She is now in late Stage 7, and barely with us. I know it might be possible to bring her home now, but when I visit I am reminded of how much 24/7 care she requires with hoyer lifts and two person assists, the preparation of carefully selected puréed foods, the list goes on. I really know for certain that she is in the best place for her…and me.

Hello LindaLouise; you are a loving and caring person and you are doing the best that can be done under the circumstances with the dynamics as they exist.

Each person with dementia is different. What would cause my LO issues or to be calmer would in all probability not be the same with someone else. It has been noted by many caregivers, that their Loved Ones (LOs) became more calm in the facility setting. Less triggers than there are in the home setting, more solid routine and environment with few changes, etc. One size does not fit all, time will tell.

Though many of us speak of "guilt" at the necessity of placing of our LO; another Member taught me to use the word, "regret, and not guilt. If one thinks of it, that is true. The regret for the necessity of placement is very strong - unavoidable does not include a guilt aspect.

No matter the words, I found that not only my LO needed a period of adaptation to placement, I also needed to adapt. No abandonment involved, doing something "FOR" our LO, not "TO" them. Much calmer, enabling me to be a loving family member and not a dreadfully exhausted person often short of patience due to said exhaustion on a 24 hour basis.

It can be difficult in the beginning, but when change occurs, we need time to do the adapting and to see the positive results. May this change in circumstances bring positives for the both of you. If behavioral issues continue, it may be a good idea to have the physician dementia specialist involved if one is not already active in the assessing and prescribing. Lastly, do have your LO checked for a "silent" UTI. Very often, significant negative changes in behavior can be triggered by the "silent" UTI which will persist until treated. Worth taking a look.

Best wishes being sent your way,

J.

I haven’t posted here in quite awhile but when I saw this question, I just had to answer. In my experience, yes, the agitation and aggressiveness eventually calm down. My 81 year old husband was diagnosed with AD in 2015. He had a paralyzing stroke two years ago. He’s been in a skilled nursing facility for over two years. He has been fading away very slowly. As recently as a year or two ago, he was very difficult to deal with. He was verbally and sometimes physically aggressive. He’s been on all sorts of meds. I don’t know if they helped. They might have contributed to his stroke.

Duting the past year or so he’s calmed down, ironically too much. He’s lost his ability to put thoughts and sentences together. His voice is practically inaudible. He is cognitively in bad shape but he’s affectionate and calm. This is a drastic change from his behavior of just a few years ago. He was so bad then that some of the aides did not want to deal with him. Now, however, he’s mellow but a bit distant. In the meantime, I’ve been able to get my life back.