Understanding Behaviour Changes in Dementia

Click the Register button to reserve your spot. Behaviour changes in dementia often reflect the person's attempt to communicate when words, memory, or reasoning are no longer reliable. These changes can include agitation, restlessness, confusion, withdrawal, or sudden shifts in mood. They are not intentional—they are signals that the person may be overwhelmed, uncomfortable, afraid, or unable to express a need. Understanding this helps care partners respond with patience and empathy. Supportive approaches such as simplifying the environment, maintaining predictable routines, using calm communication, and offering meaningful activities can reduce distress and improve daily life. By recognizing the meaning behind behaviour and responding gently, families can create a safer, more reassuring environment for the person living with dementia. Emily Giasson is an Education Coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from Queen’s…