How To Deal With Seniors’ Temper Tantrums?

By Silver Sitters

It’s painful to witness seniors and aging parents throwing tantrums at you. Tantrums do not pertain only to small children or teenagers but can occur with anyone and at any time. Tantrums in seniors are triggered by strong feelings of anger, fear, sadness, or others.

A senior throwing tantrum is wrong. The family members hardly know how to deal with the elderly temper tantrums especially if they have not experienced this situation before. Consequently, understanding the reasons behind the same is crucial to figure out the best way to deal with it.

Why Do Seniors Throw Tantrums?

There are plenty of reasons why seniors throw temper tantrums. Mainly, it’s because of the personality changes brought about by diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia. In addition to this, certain medications can also have side effects resulting in tantrums. Anxiety and depression among seniors can also be the leading cause behind why they are throwing temper tantrums.

If the senior is suffering from dementia and often experiences emotional ups and downs, there is not much you can do about it. It is because outbursts are common in dementia. The best way forward is to contact the senior’s doctor and inquire about the required medications to ease the emotional outbursts and anxiety issues. Also, try to keep seniors’ surroundings calm and engaging to prevent such outbursts.

Witnessing sudden changes in the senior’s behavior is a serious concern. It can be due to some medication or underlying medical issues.

There comes a time when family caregivers get fed up with this behavior of seniors irrespective of the reason behind the same and try to seek outside help. The tantrums can become even more serious if you inform them that you are giving yourself a break from all this to focus on yourself for some time.

Tips To Deal With Temper Tantrums Of Seniors

Book an appointment with the senior’s physician to confirm if there has been any health issues or other reason behind them throwing temper tantrums.

Try not to engage in a temper tantrum with seniors and make them clear that you are not interested in it at all.

Set clear boundaries and tell the seniors calmly that they cannot speak rudely to them or you’ll not fulfill the unreasonable demands of the seniors. Make them clear about your rules and expectations.

Take a break for yourself and if required, seek outside help such as In-home caregivers to take care of the seniors.

While taking care of seniors, do not forget to be patient with yourself and forgive yourself if you commit some mistakes. Understand that this behavior of seniors has nothing to do with you and everything about them.