Agitation in elderly people represents one of the most complex and challenging issues faced by healthcare professionals and family caregivers. A multifaceted behavioral manifestation, agitation is characterized by excessive, often inappropriate motor activity, accompanied by significant emotional distress. Contrary to what one might think, agitation is not an isolated symptom nor an inevitable consequence of aging, but rather an alarm signal indicating an unmet need or underlying suffering.
In the context of neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer’s’s disease, Lewy body dementia, or Parkinson’s disease, agitation is one of the most common and difficult behavioral disorders to manage. It can take various forms: verbal with shouting, repetitive complaints, or insults; physical with aggressive behaviors; motor with incessant wandering or repetitive gestures. Each manifestation of agitation has meaning and responds to a cause that is essential to identify in order to propose an appropriate response.
This comprehensive guide explores in depth the mechanisms of agitation in elderly people, offers practical assessment tools, and details non-pharmacological interventions that have proven effective. Our goal is to provide you with the keys to understand and manage these difficult situations while preserving the quality of life of the agitated person and their surroundings.
Understanding Agitation: Definition and Manifestations
What is Agitation?
Agitation is defined as excessive and inappropriate motor, verbal, or vocal activity that cannot be explained by an obvious need or confusion. It represents an inappropriate response to an internal or external stimulus and is generally accompanied by significant emotional distress for the person exhibiting it.
It is fundamental to understand that agitation is not a voluntary or manipulative behavior. The agitated person is not trying to “bother” those around them or to “throw a tantrum.” In the context of cognitive disorders, agitation often constitutes the only means of expression available to the person to communicate discomfort, pain, fear, or an unmet need. It is a non-verbal language that must be learned to decode.
Agitation is distinct from aggression, although the two can coexist. A person can be agitated without being aggressive, and vice versa. Agitation reflects more of a state of hyperactivity and internal tension, while aggression involves intentionality directed towards others or oneself.
The Different Forms of Agitation
Agitation in elderly people can manifest in various forms, and it is common for the same person to exhibit multiple types of agitation simultaneously or successively.
Verbal agitation is characterized by excessive vocalizations that can take several forms. Shouting and screaming without apparent reason are common, particularly in the late afternoon or evening (the phenomenon of “sundowning”). Repetitive complaints about various topics (pain, discomfort, desire to go home) constitute another common manifestation. Incessant questioning, asked repetitively despite given answers, often reflects underlying anxiety. Insults or inappropriate remarks may also occur, particularly difficult for those around them who must understand that they do not reflect the true feelings of the person but are related to the illness.
Motor agitation encompasses all physical manifestations of overactivity. Incessant wandering, where the person walks aimlessly for hours, is very common and exhausting for both the person and their surroundings. Repetitive gestures such as rubbing hands, pulling at clothing, opening and closing drawers compulsively, are part of this picture. The inability to sit still, with a constant need to get up and move, makes moments of rest difficult. Repeated attempts to go out or “go home,” even when the person is already at home, often reflect a feeling of uprootedness or a search for security.
Aggressive agitation represents the most concerning form, both for the safety of the person and for those around them. It can be physical, with hitting, pinching, biting, scratching, or throwing objects. It can also be verbal, with threats, violent insults, or threatening screams. This form of agitation generally occurs when the person feels threatened, cornered, or misunderstood, and has no other means of communication to express their discomfort.
Nocturnal agitation deserves special mention as it profoundly disrupts the sleep of everyone and is a major cause of caregiver exhaustion. It manifests as frequent awakenings, nighttime wandering, screaming or crying during the night, and an inversion of the wake-sleep rhythm where the person sleeps during the day and stays awake at night.
Epidemiology and Affected Populations
Agitation affects a significant proportion of elderly people with cognitive disorders. Epidemiological studies show that 40 to 60% of people with Alzheimer’s’s disease experience episodes of agitation during the course of their illness. This prevalence increases with the severity of dementia and affects up to 70-90% of individuals in advanced stages.
In nursing homes, agitation is one of the most common behavioral disorders and one of the main reasons for the use of psychotropic drugs. It also represents one of the major stress factors for caregiving teams and can lead to situations of unintentional abuse if professionals are not trained to manage it.
The impact of agitation goes far beyond the person themselves. It is one of the most important predictive factors of caregiver burnout and the decision to institutionalize. Caregivers confronted with the agitation of their loved ones report high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and a significant deterioration in their own health.
The multifactorial causes of agitation
Medical and physiological factors
Agitation in the elderly is rarely without an underlying medical cause. One of the first reflexes in the face of new or worsening agitation should be to look for a treatable physiological cause.
Pain is one of the most common causes of agitation, particularly in individuals who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally. Dental pain, debilitating osteoarthritis, an undiagnosed fracture, severe constipation, a urinary infection, or any other source of pain can manifest as agitation. The problem is that individuals with advanced cognitive disorders often can no longer locate or verbalize their pain, and it is then expressed solely through behavioral changes.
Infections are another major cause. Urinary infections, extremely common in elderly people, can primarily manifest as agitation even before obvious urinary signs appear. Respiratory infections, skin infections, and any other infections can also trigger or worsen agitation.
Metabolic disorders such as dehydration (very common in seniors who no longer feel thirst), hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in diabetics, electrolyte imbalances, or thyroid dysfunctions can all manifest as agitation.
Drug iatrogenesis, that is to say, the side effects of medications, is often a neglected cause. Some medications can induce or worsen agitation: anticholinergics (used for incontinence, allergies, certain psychiatric disorders), corticosteroids, certain antiparkinsonian drugs, benzodiazepines (paradoxically), and many others. The addition of multiple medications (polypharmacy) significantly increases the risk of side effects.
Sensory disorders also contribute to agitation. An uncorrected decline in visual acuity creates anxiety and confusion, just as unassisted hearing loss isolates the person and disconnects them from their environment.
Constipation deserves special mention as it is so common, uncomfortable, and often overlooked in elderly people. A fecal impaction (accumulation of hard stools in the rectum) can cause significant agitation.
Environmental and sensory factors
The environment in which the elderly person lives plays a crucial role in the onset and intensity of agitation. An unsuitable environment can be a source of constant stress and confusion.
Overstimulation is particularly problematic. A noisy environment (loud television, multiple conversations, frequent ringing, alarms), too bright, or with too much simultaneous activity can overwhelm the information processing capabilities of a person with cognitive disorders. This sensory overload generates anxiety and agitation.
Conversely, understimulation with a monotonous environment, lacking activities or social interactions, can also lead to agitation. Boredom and lack of cognitive and social stimulation create a void that the person tries to fill with motor or verbal agitation.
Changes in the environment are particularly destabilizing. A move, hospitalization, a change of room, or even a rearrangement of familiar space can trigger significant agitation. Individuals with cognitive disorders need stable and predictable reference points.
Ambient temperature deserves attention. An environment that is too hot or too cold generates discomfort that the person may struggle to identify and express other than through agitation.
Physical discomfort related to the environment must be systematically evaluated: tight or uncomfortable clothing, unsuitable chairs, uncomfortable bedding, inappropriate positions maintained for too long.
Psychological and emotional factors
Beyond medical and environmental causes, the emotional and psychological state of the person plays a central role in agitation.
Anxiety is probably the psychological factor most frequently associated with agitation. Individuals with cognitive disorders live in a world that has become incomprehensible and unpredictable. They no longer recognize places, do not understand situations, lose their temporal references, and may no longer recognize their loved ones. This loss of control and confusion generates deep anxiety that manifests as agitation.
Fear is also very present. Fear of abandonment (very common, even in the constant presence of loved ones), fear of care perceived as aggression, fear of unrecognized individuals and thus perceived as threatening strangers, fear of new or misunderstood situations.
Frustration arises from the inability to communicate effectively, to perform tasks that were once simple, or to obtain what one desires. This frustration accumulates and can explode into agitation.
Depression is common among individuals with cognitive disorders, particularly in the early stages where they are aware of their difficulties. This depression may manifest not as expressed sadness but as agitation, irritability, and aggressiveness.
Catastrophic reactions constitute a particular phenomenon where the person reacts disproportionately to a minor stimulus. A simple request like “come take your bath” can trigger an intense panic reaction with major agitation. These reactions occur when the person feels overwhelmed by a situation they do not understand or perceive as threatening.
Unmet needs and communication
A fundamental principle for understanding agitation is that every behavior is a form of communication. When a person with cognitive disorders can no longer verbally express their needs, agitation becomes their language.
Basic physiological needs are often the source of agitation: hunger, thirst, the need to go to the bathroom, fatigue, pain, physical discomfort. A person who can no longer say “I’m hungry” or “I’m in pain” will express it through agitation.
The need for security is fundamental. When a person feels in danger (real or perceived), their alarm system activates and generates agitation. This need for security also includes the need for routine and predictability.
The need for belonging and social connection persists even in the advanced stages of dementia. Isolation, loneliness, the feeling of not being understood or recognized generates distress and agitation.
The need for meaning and activity remains present. Even with limited cognitive abilities, people need to feel useful, to have a role, to participate in meaningful activities. Boredom and the feeling of uselessness can manifest as agitation.
The need for emotional comfort includes the need for reassurance, tenderness, and positive affective contact. The absence of these elements creates an emotional void that the person tries to fill.
Assessment of agitation: tools and systematic approach
Structured observation
When faced with an agitated person, the first step is to systematically and structurally observe the manifestations of agitation and their context. Rigorous observation is essential to identify the causes and adapt interventions.
The observation journal is a valuable tool. It involves noting, over several days, episodes of agitation with the following information: date and time of occurrence, duration of the episode, precise description of the observed behavior (shouting, wandering, aggressive gestures, etc.), context of occurrence (during care, after a visit, at mealtimes, etc.), and reactions from those around. This journal allows for identifying patterns, recognizing recurring triggers, and evaluating the effectiveness of the interventions implemented.
The ABC analysis (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) is a structured method of behavioral observation that is particularly useful. It involves analyzing three elements:
- A (Antecedent): What happened just before the episode of agitation? Where was the person? Who was present? What activity was taking place?
- B (Behavior): Precise description of the observed agitated behavior.
- C (Consequence): What happened immediately after? How did those around react? What was the outcome of the intervention?
This analysis helps identify the triggers of agitation and the factors that maintain or exacerbate it.
The identification of temporal patterns is crucial. Some agitations occur at specific times of the day: in the morning upon waking, in the late afternoon (sundowning), during care, at mealtimes, at night. Recognizing these patterns allows for anticipating and preventing agitation.
Standardized assessment scales
Several validated scales allow for the standardized assessment of agitation, facilitating communication among professionals and monitoring progress.
The CMAI scale (Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory) is one of the most widely used. It assesses 29 behaviors of agitation divided into three categories: non-aggressive physical agitation (wandering, repetitive activities, handling objects), aggressive physical agitation (hitting, biting, scratching), and verbal agitation (shouting, complaints, verbal negativism). Each behavior is rated according to its frequency of occurrence on a scale from 1 (never) to 7 (several times per hour).
The NPI scale (Neuropsychiatric Inventory) more broadly assesses neuropsychiatric disorders including agitation, but also aggressiveness, depression, anxiety, apathy, and other symptoms. It takes into account both the frequency and severity of symptoms, as well as the impact on the caregiver.
The BEHAVE-AD scale (Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer’s’s Disease Rating Scale) is specifically designed to assess behavioral disorders in Alzheimer’s’s disease, including various forms of agitation.
These scales, although designed for research, can be adapted for clinical use and allow for objectifying agitation and tracking its evolution over time.
Search for medical causes
In the face of any new or worsening agitation, a complete medical evaluation is essential before considering any intervention.
The clinical examination must systematically look for signs of pain (using hetero-assessment pain scales for non-communicative individuals), signs of infection (fever, cough, dysuria), signs of dehydration, constipation or fecal impaction, sensory disorders (vision, hearing).
Complementary examinations may include: a urine analysis (search for infection), a blood test (search for anemia, metabolic disorders, signs of infection), a chest X-ray if respiratory infection is suspected, and other examinations according to clinical orientation.
The medication review is systematic. All medications taken by the person must be listed and analyzed to identify potential side effects or interactions. Recent changes in treatment should be particularly examined.
The dental examination should not be overlooked. Dental problems are common, painful, and often neglected in elderly people with cognitive disorders.
Assessment of environmental and psychosocial factors
Alongside the medical evaluation, a thorough analysis of the environment and psychosocial context is necessary.
The analysis of the physical environment examines the noise level, lighting, temperature, clutter, safety, furniture adaptation, toilet accessibility, and the presence of visual cues.
The evaluation of routines and lifestyle rhythm looks at the organization of the day, wake-up and bedtime, moments of stimulation and rest, predictability of activities, and adherence to previous lifestyle habits.
The analysis of social interactions focuses on the quality and frequency of interactions with caregivers, the communication style used, how care is provided, and the reactions of those around in response to agitation.
The evaluation of emotional state attempts to identify anxiety, depression, fear, frustration, and boredom, using behavioral observation and scales adapted for non-communicative individuals.
Non-pharmacological interventions: the first-line approach
General principles of interventions
Before detailing the various strategies, it is essential to establish the general principles that guide any intervention in response to agitation.
The principle of non-harm is paramount. Any intervention must first aim not to worsen the situation. Some instinctive reactions to agitation (physically restraining, isolating, reprimanding) can not only be ineffective but also dangerous and increase agitation.
The personalized approach recognizes that each person is unique, with their life history, personality, preferences, and specific triggers. What works for one person may be ineffective or counterproductive for another. It is therefore essential to know the person, their life journey, their likes, and their habits to tailor the interventions.
Prevention is always preferable to crisis management. Identifying triggers and intervening upstream can prevent many episodes of agitation. A proactive approach that anticipates needs and risky situations is far more effective than a reactive approach.
Patience and kindness are essential qualities. Agitation is not intentional and should never be punished or reprimanded. The agitated person is suffering and needs understanding, reassurance, and support.
The multidimensional approach recognizes that agitation generally has multiple causes and therefore requires several types of combined interventions, addressing the different identified factors.
Optimizing the environment
Creating a suitable environment is one of the most effective interventions to prevent and reduce agitation.
Reducing excessive stimulation involves several measures: lowering ambient noise (turning down or off the television, limiting simultaneous multiple conversations), creating quiet areas where the person can withdraw, limiting the number of people present at the same time, and avoiding overly lively or chaotic environments.
Improving lighting plays an important role. Sufficient natural light during the day helps maintain the circadian rhythm. Appropriate lighting in the evening avoids shadows and dark areas that can cause anxiety. Night lights ensure safe movement.
Creating cues helps the person orient themselves in space and time. Visible clocks, calendars, familiar photos on the walls, directional signs for the toilet or bedroom, and different colors for different areas can all serve as reassuring cues.
Securing the space allows the person to move freely without danger. Eliminating obstacles, securing risky areas, easy access to toilets, and visibility of spaces reduce anxiety and dangerous situations.
Personalizing the space with familiar objects, family photos, and meaningful souvenirs creates a sense of belonging and comfort that decreases agitation.
Adapted communication strategies
The way we communicate with an agitated person can either soothe or exacerbate the situation. Appropriate communication is a therapeutic tool in itself.
The calm and non-threatening approach is fundamental. Presenting oneself to the person (avoiding approaching from behind), getting down to their level, maintaining a respectful distance (neither too close nor too far), adopting an open and relaxed posture, and establishing gentle eye contact.
The tone of voice should be calm, composed, reassuring, with a slow pace. Even if the person no longer always understands the words, they perceive the emotion conveyed by the tone. A soft and soothing voice has a calming effect.
The simplicity of the message is crucial. Use short sentences, simple vocabulary, and one message at a time. Avoid complex explanations, multiple choices, and open-ended questions that can overwhelm the person.
Emotional validation involves recognizing and legitimizing the person’s emotions without necessarily validating the confusing content of their speech. For example, if a person agitatedly asks to see their mother who has been deceased for a long time, rather than harshly reminding them of the death (“your mother has been dead for 20 years”), one can validate the emotion (“I see that you want to see your mommy, you miss her a lot”).
The use of non-verbal communication is powerful. A smile, a gentle touch on the shoulder or hand (if the person accepts it), a nod of understanding often convey more than words.
Distraction and redirection are very useful techniques. In the face of agitation, rather than opposing or reasoning, one can divert attention to something soothing or interesting. “Come on, let’s look at the photos together” can be more effective than any logical argument.
Managing routine and activities
Structuring the day with predictable routines and adapted activities effectively prevents agitation.
The establishment of daily routines provides temporal markers and reduces anxiety. Key moments (getting up, hygiene, meals, activities, rest, bedtime) should occur at regular times and follow predictable sequences. This predictability creates a sense of security.
The adaptation of activities is essential. Activities must be both stimulating to avoid boredom but not too complex to avoid frustration. They should match the person’s current abilities and ideally build on their former interests and skills.
Cognitive stimulation programs like SCARLETT from DYNSEO are particularly suitable for elderly people with neurodegenerative conditions. SCARLETT offers over 30 cognitive games and activities specifically designed for seniors, with adjustable difficulty levels. These activities stimulate memory, attention, language, and executive functions while remaining fun and motivating.
The advantage of a structured program like SCARLETT is twofold: on one hand, it provides regular cognitive stimulation that can help reduce agitation by occupying the person constructively; on the other hand, the routines create reassuring temporal markers. Sessions can be short (10-15 minutes) and conducted at strategic times during the day to prevent agitation.
Adapted physical activity has proven effective in reducing agitation. Daily walks, even short ones, gentle gymnastics, adapted dance, or simply rhythmic movements to music can channel energy and reduce tension.
Sensorial activities often provide significant calming. Music therapy (listening to familiar music, particularly from the person’s youth), aromatherapy (with caution), sensory gardens, touch activities (manipulating fabrics, wool, modeling clay), and visual activities (looking at photos, family videos) engage the senses in a soothing manner.
Breaks and rest periods should be integrated into the day. A tired person is more likely to be agitated. Calm moments, in a soothing environment, allow for recharging.
Body and sensory approaches
The body plays a central role in agitation, and approaches targeting physical well-being can be very effective.
Massage and therapeutic touch, practiced gently and respectfully, can provide significant calming. A massage of the hands, shoulders, or feet can reduce physical and emotional tension. Touch also conveys a comforting presence and human connection.
Relaxation and breathing can be guided even for people with cognitive disorders. Simple deep breathing exercises, guided by voice and example, can help reduce agitation.
Hydrotherapy, when possible, often offers moments of calm. A lukewarm bath, not too hot, in a calm atmosphere can significantly relax. However, caution is needed as bathing can also be a source of anxiety for some people.
Light therapy can be useful, particularly for agitation related to disruptions in circadian rhythm. Exposure to bright light in the morning can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle and reduce evening agitation.
Management of crisis situations
Despite all preventive measures, acute crisis situations can arise. Knowing how to handle them appropriately is crucial for everyone’s safety.
Prioritizing safety is paramount. If the situation becomes dangerous (significant physical aggression), it is essential to ensure the safety of the agitated person, others present, and oneself. This may require temporarily distancing, calling for backup, or in extreme cases, contacting emergency services.
Maintaining the calm of the caregiver is essential. An agitated person perceives the anxiety or anger of their interlocutor, which exacerbates the situation. Deep breathing, speaking in a calm voice, and not showing fear or annoyance are crucial skills.
Avoiding confrontation and logical argumentation is important. One does not “win” against an agitated person in crisis by being right. It is better to validate emotions, seek to understand the underlying need, and propose alternatives.
Creating a safe space where the person can calm down, away from overstimulation, is often beneficial. This is not punitive isolation but the offer of a soothing refuge.
Post-crisis analysis is fundamental for learning and preventing recurrences. Once the situation has calmed, taking the time to reflect on what happened, the triggers, and what worked or did not work in the intervention allows for improving practices.
Training and support for caregivers
The importance of training
Faced with the agitation of a loved one or a patient, caregivers may feel helpless, exhausted, and sometimes tempted to react inappropriately. Training is therefore a key element of quality care.
For healthcare professionals, DYNSEO offers a comprehensive training: “Behavioral disorders related to the disease: methods and multidisciplinary coordination”. This training deepens the understanding of the mechanisms of behavioral disorders including agitation, proposes evidence-based intervention strategies, and addresses coordination among the various care providers.
This training enables nurses, caregivers, life assistants, occupational therapists, psychomotor therapists, and other professionals to acquire practical skills to manage agitation on a daily basis. It covers adapted communication approaches, de-escalation techniques, crisis management, and the importance of a non-pharmacological approach as a first-line intervention.
For families and informal caregivers, DYNSEO has developed the training “Behavioral changes related to the disease: practical guide for caregivers”. This training helps families understand why their loved one exhibits agitation and how to respond effectively and compassionately.
This training addresses essential questions: why is my loved one agitated? How to communicate with them? What to do in the face of a crisis? How to preserve my own health in the face of the stress of caregiving? It offers concrete tools that can be directly applied in daily life.
Support for caregivers
Beyond training, caregivers need ongoing support to face the challenges of agitation.
Regular respite is essential. Caring for a regularly agitated person is physically and emotionally exhausting. Respite solutions (day care, temporary accommodation, intervention by professionals at home) allow caregivers to take breaks regularly, which is crucial for sustaining themselves over time and preserving their own health.
Support and self-help groups provide a space to share experiences, feel understood, exchange tips, and break isolation. Meeting others who are experiencing similar situations normalizes the experience and brings comfort.
Psychological support may be necessary. Supporting an agitated person can generate stress, anxiety, guilt, anger, and sadness. A psychologist can help the caregiver manage these difficult emotions and develop coping strategies.
Information and resources must be easily accessible. Caregivers need to know where to find help, what services exist, and what financial assistance is available.
Multidisciplinary coordination
Managing agitation cannot be the responsibility of a single person or discipline. A coordinated and multidisciplinary approach is necessary.
The primary care physician plays a central role in medical evaluation, excluding organic causes, and adjusting medication treatments if necessary.
The neurologist or geriatrician provides expertise on the underlying neurodegenerative pathology and can propose specific therapeutic strategies.
The nurse ensures regular follow-up, symptom assessment, care coordination, and family education.
The psychologist evaluates psychological and emotional aspects, proposes behavioral interventions, and supports caregivers.
The occupational therapist analyzes the environment and suggests adaptations to reduce agitation.
The psychomotor therapist proposes adapted bodily and sensory activities.
The caregivers and life assistants are on the front lines daily and must be trained in agitation management techniques.
The pharmacists can alert on iatrogenic risks and propose alternatives.
Regular communication among all these actors, around a shared care plan, optimizes management.
Medication treatment: when and how?
The limits and risks of psychotropics
Although this article focuses on non-pharmacological approaches, it is important to briefly address the issue of pharmacological treatment of agitation, if only to highlight its limits and risks.
Psychotropics (antipsychotics, anxiolytics, antidepressants) are unfortunately still too often used as a first-line treatment for agitation, when they should be reserved for situations where non-pharmacological approaches have failed and where agitation poses a danger to the person or those around them.
Antipsychotics, while they may reduce agitation, carry significant risks for elderly people: increased risk of Stroke, death, excessive sedation, falls, swallowing disorders, worsening cognitive disorders, extrapyramidal effects (Parkinsonism).
Benzodiazepines, often prescribed for their anxiolytic effect, can paradoxically worsen agitation, particularly in people with dementia. They also increase the risk of falls, confusion, and dependence.
Current best practice recommendations therefore advocate for a stepped approach: always start by seeking and treating a medical cause, then implement non-pharmacological interventions for at least 2 to 4 weeks. Only in the event of failure of these approaches and if agitation remains severe and dangerous can pharmacological treatment be considered, at the minimum effective dose, for the shortest duration possible, with regular reevaluation.
Deprescribing Strategies
For individuals already on psychotropic treatment for their agitation, a strategy of gradual reduction and then cessation (deprescribing) should be considered, particularly if non-drug approaches can be implemented in parallel.
This deprescribing should be gradual, medically supervised, and accompanied by close monitoring. It succeeds in many cases and helps avoid the adverse effects of psychotropics without worsening agitation, especially if non-drug interventions are optimized.
Preventing Agitation: A Proactive Approach
Anticipating Risky Situations
The best management of agitation is its prevention. Identifying situations, moments, and contexts that typically trigger agitation allows for early intervention.
Personal care (bathing, dressing, changing protective wear) are situations that frequently generate agitation. Anticipating by informing the person, simply explaining what will happen, respecting their pace and modesty, offering help without imposing, and using distraction can prevent many episodes.
Transitions (moving from one activity to another, changing locations) should be prepared for and supported. Informing the person, allowing them time to adapt, and not rushing are important principles.
Medical visits can be a source of anxiety. Preparing the person, if possible visiting the locations in advance, being present to reassure, and explaining what is happening can reduce stress.
Maintaining Quality of Life
Beyond managing agitation, the fundamental goal is to maintain the best possible quality of life for the affected person and their loved ones.
This involves respecting the person’s dignity in all circumstances, recognizing their identity and history, maintaining social and emotional contacts, offering meaningful activities, paying attention to comfort and well-being, and creating a warm and safe living environment.
Programs like CLINT from DYNSEO can also contribute to quality of life. Designed for adults, CLINT offers a variety of adaptable cognitive stimulation exercises that can be used preventively to maintain cognitive functions and provide moments of positive engagement.
By maintaining regular and appropriate cognitive stimulation, offering structured and motivating activities, and creating predictable routines around these training moments, we can help prevent boredom and frustration, which are often the root causes of agitation.
Conclusion: Agitation as a Language to Decode
Agitation in elderly people, particularly in the context of cognitive disorders, is never an isolated symptom without meaning. It is always the expression of a need, discomfort, or suffering that the person can no longer express in any other way. Our role, as professionals or family caregivers, is to learn to decode this language, understand its meaning, and respond appropriately and compassionately.
Non-drug approaches, based on understanding the causes, adapting the environment, modifying our interactions, and offering suitable activities, are the cornerstone of managing agitation. They are effective, without adverse effects, and respectful of the person’s dignity.
Training for professionals and family caregivers is an essential investment to improve the quality of care. The trainings offered by DYNSEO provide the theoretical knowledge and practical tools necessary to face the daily challenges of agitation. The cognitive stimulation programs SCARLETT and CLINT are valuable resources for maintaining cognitive engagement and preventing agitation related to boredom or frustration.
Managing agitation requires patience, creativity, compassion, and a constant willingness to seek understanding rather than control. Each person is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Careful observation, trying different approaches, and constant adaptation are the keys to success.
Let us never forget that behind every agitated behavior lies a person who is suffering and needs help. Our response to this suffering defines the quality of our support and our humanity.
DYNSEO Resources and Support
DYNSEO is committed to supporting you in managing behavioral disorders including agitation:
For Healthcare Professionals
Training “Behavioral Disorders Related to Illness: Methods and Multidisciplinary Coordination”
Comprehensive training to acquire essential skills in managing behavioral disorders, including practical and evidence-based strategies.
👉 Access the training for professionals
For Families and Caregivers
Training “Behavioral Changes Related to Illness: Practical Guide for Caregivers”
Training specifically designed to help families understand and manage agitation and other behavioral disorders on a daily basis.
Cognitive stimulation programs
SCARLETT – For seniors and people with neurodegenerative conditions
More than 30 memory games and adapted cognitive exercises, with adjustable difficulty levels and intuitive interface.
👉 Discover SCARLETT
CLINT – Brain coach for adults
Brain training program for adults, to maintain and improve cognitive functions on a daily basis.
👉 Discover CLINT
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Keywords : elderly agitation, behavioral disorders, dementia, Alzheimer’s, non-pharmacological interventions, agitation management, caregiver training, cognitive stimulation, adapted communication, behavioral approaches, DYS disorders
