As our loved ones age, they may experience a range of emotional and behavioural changes that can be challenging to understand and manage. One such change may be emotional outbursts, aggressive behaviour and temper tantrums, which can be distressing for both the elderly person and their family members or caregivers. 

Angry outbursts can be caused by a variety of factors, from medical conditions such as dementia to physical discomfort. Understanding the underlying causes of these outbursts is crucial for helping an ageing adult deal with their emotions so that they can lead a happier and healthier life. In this blog, Four Oaks looks at the causes of these outbursts and how you can help your loved ones with their challenging outbursts.

What Causes Emotional Outbursts in the Elderly?

An angry outburst doesn’t come from nowhere, though it may sometimes feel like it when there are no clear causes. Here are the most common physical and cognitive challenges that the elderly face, which sometimes make their moods unpredictable:

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or brain injuries can cause emotional outbursts. These conditions may affect the cognitive health of the brain and cause changes in emotions, behaviour, and even personality. In these cases, there is an underlying medical issue that is responsible for your loved one’s outbursts.

Side Effects of Medication

Certain medications can cause mood swings, irritability, and emotional instability, and the elderly often have a list of different medications they need to take for their health. So it’s important to talk to the doctor or pharmacist about any potential side effects of medications and try your best to get medications that work well together.

Stress and Anxiety

Elderly people may experience stress and anxiety due to changes in their physical abilities, health problems, the loss of loved ones, or financial issues. These stressors can trigger emotional outbursts, as they would in the young too.

Social Isolation and Depression

An unfortunate part of ageing is the loss of loved ones. Along with this, the elderly are generally not integrated into communities as they should be. Elderly people who are socially isolated may feel lonely, bored, frustrated and depressed. Depression is a common mental health problem in the elderly, often caused by social isolation and the causes already mentioned above. Depression can quickly result in feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and irritability, which can also lead to emotional outbursts.

Pain and Discomfort

Chronic pain is a common problem among the elderly. Pain can cause frustration, irritability, and emotional distress. If someone is in pain, they are far more likely to snap at people. They may also be experiencing discomfort in their changing body, or may be having poor sleep. These things can really affect an individual’s quality of life and can often result in aggressive behaviour.

How Can You Help Angry Adults?

It’s important to identify the underlying cause of emotional outbursts in the elderly and address it appropriately. This may involve medical treatment, therapy, or social support. If you have an elderly loved one who is experiencing anger outbursts, there are several ways that family caregivers or a professional caregiver can help them. Here are some tips:

1. Understand the underlying cause: As we mentioned earlier, there can be various reasons for anger outbursts in the elderly. Therefore, it’s important to understand the underlying cause of the outbursts. Talk to the person, try to identify the trigger, and address it accordingly.
2. Remain calm and patient: It’s essential to remain calm and patient when dealing with angry outbursts. Getting angry or frustrated in response to their behaviour will likely only make it worse. Instead, try to maintain a calm and soothing presence.
3. Validate their feelings: Sometimes, elderly people may feel frustrated, lonely, or unheard. Validating their feelings and acknowledging their emotions can help to defuse the situation. Listen to them and let them know that their feelings are completely understandable.
4. Help them manage their emotions: Encourage your loved one to express their emotions and negative feelings in a healthy way. This could involve activities such as writing, painting, or talking to someone they trust.
5. Consider professional help: If your family member is experiencing outbursts more frequently or severely, it may be helpful to seek professional help. A healthcare provider or mental health professional can provide guidance on how to manage the outbursts and identify any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the behaviour.
6. Ensure they’re not suffering from unmanaged pain: As we discussed earlier, the elderly often have chronic pain and require medication, sometimes for a range of ailments. Be sure to speak to your loved one’s doctor, and ensure they’re not suffering from unseen physical pain, like a urinary tract infection.

Conclusion on Anger in Older Adults

Helping elderly loved ones who are experiencing anger outbursts requires patience, empathy, and understanding. But by identifying the underlying cause, remaining calm, and validating their feelings, you can help them manage their emotions in a healthy and constructive way.

Sometimes, age-related challenges require the assistance of a professional caregiver. If this is the case for your loved one, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us or call us on 0333 772 0156.