5 Tips for Dealing with Elderly Temper Tantrums

5 tips for dealing with elderly temper tantrums

• As a caregiver you absolutely MUST take a break. It's not optional. It's a must. Remember that nothing changes until your needs become a must!

• Do NOT engage in the temper tantrum. Give it absolutely no energy. Leave the room. Walk away. Make it clear that you are not going to listen to the temper tantrum. You can say this calmly, but it has to be said.

• If your loved one tells you that you don't love him/her, gently take a hand when the tantrum has calmed down and say, "I do love you. In fact I love you so much and want to be here for you, that I have to take a small break in order to be able to give you the best possible care." Leave it at that and don't get into a discussion. You do not have to justify taking a break from caregiving.

• Make time for happiness and practice scheduling time for you every day. It doesn't have to be an all day event, but doing something for you each and every day will set the standard and eventually your loved one will come to be more accepting of your self care and personal boundaries. Schedule your time just like you schedule all other appointments.

• Finally…understand that the first few times you actually follow through, you're going to feel guilty. You're going to feel like you've done something wrong. You haven't. This is just the chatter in your head and the only way to quiet it is to practice the art of self care. Learning ways to manage guilt is one of the keys to successful caregiving.

How Care Management for Seniors Helps Manage Emotional and Behavioural Challenges

Caring for an elderly loved one who has frequent temper tantrums can be emotionally exhausting. While self-care is essential, having professional care management for seniors in place can dramatically improve both the caregiver’s wellbeing and the senior’s quality of life.

A care manager can assess the underlying causes of behavioural outbursts - whether they stem from dementia, chronic pain, frustration over loss of independence, or environmental triggers. Once the cause is better understood, the care manager works with healthcare providers, therapists, and the family to create a tailored plan for prevention and de-escalation.

Key benefits include:

• Behaviour tracking to identify patterns and triggers

• Coordination with medical professionals to adjust medications or treatments if needed

• Implementation of structured routines to reduce anxiety and confusion

• Caregiver coaching on communication strategies and boundary-setting

• Respite care planning so the primary caregiver can take necessary breaks without guilt

  
  

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, structured care plans combined with respite services can reduce caregiver stress by up to 40% and improve cooperation from seniors. For many families, having a care manager’s guidance transforms tense situations into opportunities for understanding and connection.

If you are regularly facing behavioural challenges with an elderly loved one, consider involving a professional care manager. They can ensure that your loved one’s needs are met in a way that preserves dignity, reduces conflict, and supports your own emotional health.

Agingcare.com