This handout is also available in Spanish . Wandering away and resisting care are other common problems. The agitation can have many causes.
Frustrating situations can cause people with dementia to become agitated.
For example, a person with dementia may become agitated if he or she can't get dressed, gives the wrong answer to a question or is challenged about his or her confusion or inability to do things. As a result, the person may cry, become irritable or try to hit, kick or hurt you in some way. The sudden occurrence of agitation may be caused by infection, illness or injury, or by a medicine. Even if the agitation is a chronic problem, there are ways of dealing with it. One of the most important things you can do is avoid situations in which your loved one might fail to remember something or forget to do something and become frustrated.