How do you manage a person with dementia who is refusing to move

Managing a person with dementia who refuses to move can be challenging, but understanding their behavior and responding with patience and empathy is key.

People with dementia often refuse to move because they are trying to communicate something important. This might be pain, discomfort, fear, confusion, or frustration. Since their ability to express feelings clearly diminishes as the disease progresses, refusal to move can be a way of showing unmet needs or emotional distress[4][5].

Here are some practical ways to manage this situation:

– **Look for underlying causes:** Check if the person is in pain or uncomfortable. Sometimes simple things like hunger, thirst, fatigue, or overstimulation can cause resistance[4][5].

– **Approach gently and calmly:** Use a soft tone and avoid rushing them. Sudden movements or pressure may increase anxiety.

– **Use positive reinforcement:** Praise small cooperative actions (“Thank you for sitting up,” “You’re doing great”) which encourages more willingness over time[4].

– **Create a routine:** People with dementia often respond well when daily activities happen at regular times in familiar settings. This predictability reduces confusion and resistance.

– **Break tasks into small steps:** Instead of asking them to move all at once, encourage moving one part of the body at a time (e.g., “Let’s lift your arm now”).

– **Offer choices when possible:** Giving control back by offering simple options (“Would you like to stand by yourself or use the walker?”) helps reduce frustration.

If refusal continues despite these efforts:

– Try distraction techniques such as talking about favorite topics or playing music they enjoy before attempting movement again.

– If moving is necessary (for example transferring from bed), consider involving professional caregivers trained in dementia care who know how to handle these behaviors safely[1][4].

Remember that forcing movement without addressing emotional needs usually increases agitation. Viewing refusal as communication rather than stubbornness helps caregivers respond compassionately rather than reactively[4][5]. In some cases where behaviors become very difficult or unsafe for both the person and caregiver, specialized memory care communities may provide better support tailored for these challenges[1][5].

In summary: managing someone with dementia who refuses to move requires patience, understanding what their behavior means beneath the surface emotions or physical discomforts they cannot express clearly yet need addressed through gentle encouragement and compassionate care.