Dealing with tantrums from your loved one can be very disconcerting. This is because they are probably people we look up to (such as parents) and the idea of them acting out can be jarring. However, there are ways that you can manage this without compromising your own health as well. Here are some of the reasons why your loved one may be throwing tantrums and what you can do about it.
Rule Out Health Reasons
One of the things to be aware of is the fact that health conditions may be the cause of your loved one’s temper tantrums. Mental conditions such as dementia can be very disconcerting for your loved one, especially at the onset. Constantly forgetting things can drive them to irritation as they may also not be aware of what is happening to them. Pains and aches that may be caused by conditions such as arthritis, can also affect your loved one’s mood.
If you notice a pattern of outbursts from your loved one, the first thing you should do is to rule out any underlying health problems. This is by scheduling a medical review with a specialist.
Managing Tantrums
Assuming that there are no health conditions you need to worry about, then the problem becomes one of behavior management. Your reaction to such tantrums determines how healthy your engagement with your loved one will be. If your loved one throws a tantrum, here is the best way to deal with it.
- Don’t Engage
What this means is that at the moment of the outburst, you should avoid engaging with your loved one. This is for a number of reasons. At that moment, you are engaging your loved one on his or her own terms and this should not be the case. You should not be dragged into a shouting match. Secondly, nothing productive is likely to come out of such a dialogue. Instead, simply tell them calmly that you are not going to engage them until they calm down. You may have to physically leave the room in order to avoid engagement.
- Stick to Facts
When you eventually discuss the issue at hand, ensure that you stick to facts pertaining to the problem. Do not bring up past issues or make personal insinuations. If you calmly engage with facts, your loved one is unlikely to resort to shouting or tantrums.
- Take a Break
If you are engaged full-time in the care of a loved one, you should ensure that you take a break from this every now and then. Your break will help you to recharge, which in turn makes it easier for you to handle any outbursts that may arise.
At Caruth Haven Court, we offer many options for people looking for an assisted living community. Our professional staff are compassionate and are trained to manage the emotional needs as well as physical needs of our residents. Give us a call today to find out more about our assisted living community.
