Witnessing a loved one experiencing dementia-related mood changes is often challenging. Knowing what to say and do to support your friend or family member can feel confusing, especially if the reason for their distress is unclear. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help. Let's explore how dementia affects mood and learn some simple strategies to help your loved one achieve a more stable mood in their memory care apartment or community.

Does Dementia Cause Mood Changes?

Mood changes are relatively common in people with dementia. Sometimes these changes occur due to brain damage caused by the disease or distressing symptoms.

Common causes of dementia-related mood changes include:

• Stress following a recent dementia diagnosis
• Damage to the brain's frontal lobe, which can impair planning, focus and judgment
• Confusion about the things happening around the person
• Lack of meaningful social interaction
• Certain medications used to treat dementia

There's a common misconception that depression and other mood-altering conditions are inevitable in people with dementia. However, seniors with memory loss can still enjoy positive feelings and experiences with the right treatment and social support.

Common Dementia-Related Mood Problems

People with memory loss may develop depression due to situations or environmental factors such as a lack of social contact. Others become depressed due to brain damage or symptoms associated with dementia. A senior with dementia-related depression may feel excessively sad or guilty and stop enjoying once-pleasurable activities like hobbies and socializing. They may seem more emotional than usual, and you might notice changes in their appetite, sleeping patterns and energy levels.

People with dementia also have an increased risk of developing anxiety. Dementia can make understanding what's happening around you and carrying out everyday tasks more challenging, which may lead to anxious feelings. Signs of anxiety in people with dementia include repetitive behavior, restlessness and a desire to stay close to loved ones and caregivers.

Bear in mind that other factors could cause or exacerbate your loved one's change in mood. Alongside dementia, mood difficulties in older adults can be due to:

• Infections and other health problems
• Pain
• Poor-quality sleep
• Hunger or thirst
• Vision or hearing difficulties

Doctors can often treat or manage these issues to help improve your loved one's mood. Leaving an infection or another physical illness untreated could harm their health, so seeking medical attention for mood changes is essential.

How Can I Help a Loved One With Dementia Manage Mood Changes?

The first step toward managing mood changes in people with dementia is to understand the cause. Consider keeping a diary of the person's moods and recording details about their surroundings, such as the noise levels or whether they show symptoms of being generally unwell. Finding and addressing the triggers for low mood may help reduce the risk of mental health problems.

The following tips can help an older adult with dementia maintain better mental health in their own home or a memory care community.

1. Reduce Environment-Related Stress

Generally, a dementia-friendly home environment should be calm and comforting. Soft furnishings can help dampen background noise and provide a comfortable area for your loved one to relax. Consider turning noisy devices like televisions and tablets off when the person isn't using them, and ensure the lighting is bright enough for them to see their surroundings clearly.

You could also try labeling the rooms and objects in their home to help them move around more independently. These simple measures minimize confusion, which can reduce anxiety and other mood issues.

2. Encourage Regular Health Checks

Supporting your loved one in maintaining good physical health reduces the risk of mood difficulties by preventing pain, poor vision and other symptoms. Encourage them to have regular hearing, vision and dental checkups. These appointments can help diagnose and treat issues that could affect their ability to interact or cause pain, such as hearing loss or cavities.

Your loved one should see their doctor if they experience symptoms of an illness. Treating infections and other health issues will likely improve their comfort and mobility.

Seeking medical help if you notice mood changes following a change in medication is crucial. The person's doctor can confirm whether the changes are due to medications and may recommend changing the dose or switching to a different drug to ease their mood issues.

3. Practice Compassionate Communication

People with dementia often struggle to find the right words, organize their sentences and maintain a coherent conversation. These difficulties can cause distress and anxiety, but there are things caregivers can do to make communication easier and more rewarding.

The Alzheimer's Association recommends the following dementia-friendly communication strategies:

• Include the person in conversations without assuming they can't communicate effectively.
• Give the person time to think, process and respond to what you say.
• Allow the person to talk about their thoughts and feelings for as long as they need.
• Minimize background noise during conversations.
• Reassure the person if they struggle to explain their thoughts.
• Avoid drawing attention to inaccurate or repetitive statements.
• Break down complex ideas or instructions into more digestible parts.
• Encourage the person to use gestures if they can't find the right words.

Don't worry if you find it difficult to know what to say and do when your loved one is distressed. Simply being a comforting presence can help calm a person experiencing dementia-related mood changes.

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