Fact 11: The Role of Personalized Care in Managing Aggression
Personalized care plays a critical role in managing aggression in dementia. This approach respects and responds to the individuality of each person with dementia, recognizing that each person has their own history, preferences, and needs.
Understanding the individual with dementia is the first step toward providing personalized care. This involves knowing their life history, likes and dislikes, habits, and routines. Such understanding can inform care strategies that are tailored to the individual’s unique needs and preferences, thereby reducing distress and potential aggression.
Implementing personalized care might involve adjusting daily routines to align with the individual’s habits, incorporating their favorite activities into the daily schedule, or modifying communication styles to suit the individual’s preferences. Personalized care strategies prioritize the individual’s comfort and well-being, thereby minimizing distress and reducing the likelihood of aggressive behavior.
By viewing individuals with dementia as unique individuals rather than just patients, caregivers can provide compassionate care that significantly improves the individuals’ quality of life while effectively managing symptoms like aggression. (11)
