Updated September 14, 2026 · General education, not individual professional advice.
Fear, anger, pacing, and restlessness
Lower your voice, give physical space, and reduce background stimulation. Check comfort needs such as pain, temperature, hunger, thirst, or the bathroom. A sudden change can have a medical cause, so contact the care team promptly.
- Offer a quieter place or a familiar activity without forcing it.
- Avoid crowding, arguing, restraining, or trying to continue a task during escalating distress.
- If anyone is in immediate danger, move to safety and call 911 in the U.S.
Learn more: Alzheimer’s Association: Anxiety and agitation ↗ · Alzheimer’s Association: Aggression and anger ↗
Evenings and sleep changes
Some people experience more confusion or distress later in the day. Keep a simple evening routine, notice patterns, and make nighttime walking paths clear and adequately lit.
- Discuss persistent or new sleep problems with a clinician.
- Review medicines with the prescriber rather than adding a sleep aid yourself.
- Plan backup when disrupted nights leave someone too tired to provide safe support.
Learn more: Alzheimer’s Association: Sleep issues and sundowning ↗
Suspicion, hallucinations, and unfamiliar behavior
Listen to the concern without agreeing that an unverified accusation is true. New hallucinations or strongly distressing beliefs need medical evaluation. Do not assume a report of theft, mistreatment, or pain is false because the person has dementia.
- Check for an actual missing item, safety issue, or unmet need.
- Write down new changes in a private note for the care team.
- For changes in personal boundaries, preserve everyone’s privacy and safety and seek professional guidance.
Learn more: Alzheimer’s Association: Suspicions and delusions ↗ · Alzheimer’s Association: Hallucinations ↗
Notice patterns without blame
A short record can make a conversation with a professional more useful. Describe what you saw and what happened around it, rather than labeling the person difficult.
- Record the time, setting, possible discomfort, and what you tried.
- Include what helped and what the person said or indicated they wanted.
- If collecting or hiding objects is harmless, consider a designated place; secure hazardous or irreplaceable items.
Learn more: Alzheimer’s Association: Anxiety and agitation ↗ · Alzheimer’s Association: Suspicions and delusions ↗
Source links and educational wording checked on September 14, 2026. This is not a clinical review. For questions about your situation, contact a qualified medical, legal, or financial professional.