Dementia fuelled tantrums can be so trying and it is not impossible for caregivers to just snap or feel defeated. Whether they are directed to you or to no one in particular, you as the caregiver should be the one to diffuse or be on top of the situation always. Do take note that it is common for seniors with dementia to have tantrums and sudden outburst. It is also common for them to be agitated or to be aggressive about something even if the trigger is near non-existent.

Below are some tips for caregivers on how to handle dementia tantrums:
Stay calm. If this is your first time to encounter such outburst, try to stay calm and try to sooth your senior. If all else fails, try to calm yourself as it is the only way you can assess and handle the situation more effectively.

* Divert attention. Try, if you can, to divert your senior’s attention. While this may not work always, it’s worth a try. You can try to give them a task – something that will drive their attention away from the source of their frustration/outburst.
* Be a traffic controller. If your senior has managed to make a scene, try to move people along while explaining that your senior has dementia. Having people stare at your senior will only agitate your senior more thus prolonging the outburst.
* Find the source as quickly as possible. Surely there is a source for such an outburst. You should be able to find out the cause of the outburst and be able to eliminate it from your senior’s site.
* Remember the things that are most likely to upset them and avoid these things like a plague. While it won’t be easy to pinpoint exactly what upsets your senior thus eliminating the possibility of a future meltdown, knowing what disturbed your senior in the past is a good starting point.
* Get to know your senior’s condition more. Understanding dementia as well as your senior’s level or degree with regard to their condition will tell you what activities are best suited for your senior and what are the things you need to avoid. For example, if one day you find yourself unable to remember the word for a certain color in a color game, wouldn’t it be so frustrating, you would want to lash out on anyone within range? When you know or at least, have been monitoring your senior closely, you would know their limitations thus be bale to avoid activities that may cause a meltdown.
* Medications can help. A person with dementia is most likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders, for which medications can help. Be sure to contact and consult their doctor for this option.