Symptoms and behaviour

What is Aggression?

Aggression in dementia is shouting, threatening, hitting or pushing, most often during personal care and most often from fear rather than anger.

Bathing and dressing are the commonest flashpoints, because they involve a stranger touching someone who no longer understands why. Approaching from the front, explaining each step, and slowing down prevent more incidents than anything else.

It is frightening for families and it is not deliberate. It is also a reason to get professional help rather than to persist alone.

Why it matters

A caregiver trained in dementia handles this differently from a willing relative, and the difference shows immediately.

Sources

Where to check this, and where to read more. All external and all authoritative.

Aggression where you live

The local guide on this, for each city we cover.

Related terms

All 92 terms, A to Z