Let's talk Life: My aunt is getting very aggressive

Yvonnie Bailey- Davidson, Gleaner Writer

Dear Counsellor:

My aunt has dementia and is getting very aggressive. She does not remember some people and has an appetite problem. I am concerned about the aggression.

- Marcia

Dear Marcia:

Dementia is a common condition among the elderly. As we get older, the possibility of getting dementia increases. Some individuals become aggressive, or wander and cannot find their way home. Some people have visual or auditory hallucinations and sleep problems. Depression coexists along with the dementia and makes the situation worse.

In the early stages, your aunt will realise that she has become forgetful and is not able to function as usual. This will increase her frustration and causes her to become very angry. She will become combative and strike out against her caregivers. She may not be aware of what is happening to her. Aggression is worsen by her memory problems as she will have difficulty finding her personal possessions and starts to accuse others of taking her things.

Not an easy task

It is not easy to take care of the sick, especially one who has dementia. Your aunt may actively respond to hallucinations and becomes fearful and argumentative. She might be cantankerous and quarrelsome and poses a challenge to the caregivers. She will need to be closely supervised and monitored as she can damage herself. Most of these symptoms can be treated with medication and behaviour management.

Your aunt needs to be assessed by a neurologist and a psychiatrist as to her treatment. She might need certain investigations as to the cause of her recent behaviour. If she has hypertension, she might be having minor strokes with deterioration in her mental capacity. The medication prescribed should be given and a report be made to the doctor about the effects on your aunt. Sometimes the medication causes drowsiness in the daytime.

You need to assess her diet and make changes to the diet as well as give her supplements.

>>>>>>

I want to know about autism

Dear Counsellor:

My son has been diagnosed with autism and I am trying to get as much information as possible.

- Alicia

Dear Alicia,

Autism is a condition that is increasing in frequency, but early detection and intervention are improving the outcome. In Jamaica, there is a support group that meets once monthly and provides information for providers and parents. There are several schools which cater to the needs of children with autism. There are now a variety of therapists who can help your son. Things are improving as parents are advocating for the needs of their children. The behaviour and language of some children improve as they grow older

Please join the group as whatever skills that you can offer will be greatly appreciated. The management is multimodal as it involves teamwork. The paediatrician, psychiatrist, speech therapist, behaviour therapist, occupational therapist and special educator all form part of the team. A parent who has an older child can be of great help to you by telling how she manages with certain things.

There are many websites and books written on the subject.

Email questions and feedback for Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson to yvonniebd@hotmail.com or call 978-8602.